Joining the Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) has been a transformative experience for Captain Sunmeet Kandhari.

“For me, the military offered an incredibly varied career where I could combine my clinical skills with a sense of adventure and purpose,” says Sunmeet. “Having joined after spending a few years working in the NHS, it has highlighted to me how rewarding it is, as well as giving me an appreciation of the uniqueness of service life.”

Sunmeet’s role in the RADC goes beyond providing dental care. While the primary responsibility is to improve and maintain the oral health of service personnel, the job involves much more than routine dental treatments.

“Our primary responsibility is to improve and maintain the oral health of service personnel wherever they may be. Most commonly, this involves providing primary dental care in permanent facilities, but emergency care can still be provided in more temporary setups whilst deployed.”

The variety of settings is one of the standout aspects of the role. Sunmeet has had the opportunity to deliver care all over the world, which has been both a challenge and a highlight of the job.

“One of the most fascinating aspects of the job is the ability to deliver high-quality dental care in remote and austere locations. Over the last two years, I’ve been fortunate to support deployments across the world, from Estonia and Poland to Kenya.”

A key benefit of working in the armed forces is the financial freedom to provide high-quality care.

“Treatment is patient focused, and not restricted by what the patient can and can’t afford. In addition to this, the competitive salary and pension also ensure that armed forces dentists enjoy financial stability.”

Beyond clinical practice, Sunmeet has also developed significant leadership skills. Dental officers have the opportunity to command dental teams, centres, and entire regions, as well as work within medical regiments.

“There are significant leadership responsibilities and opportunities, from commanding dental teams, centres, and entire regions. For most dental officers such as myself, they will also have the opportunity to work within a medical regiment, providing the dental component of the British Army's rapidly deployable medical capability.”

Adventure and camaraderie

Outside of clinical duties, life in the armed forces offers plenty of opportunities for adventure and personal development. From mountaineering to snowboarding, Sunmeet has embraced the extracurricular activities available.

“These activities are not just about physical fitness; they build resilience, teamwork, and the ability to perform in unfamiliar environments – crucial skills for both military and personal life.”

Despite the many benefits, the job does come with its challenges. The physical demands of the role and the need to relocate every two to three years can be difficult to manage.

“It’s not a typical career. Here, you are part of a team, and you need to be fit enough to deal with the physical demands of the job. The Army’s needs also take precedence, which may mean relocating every two to three years. While this provides a rich variety of experiences, it can be challenging to uproot and adjust to new environments regularly.”

For those who prefer a more settled lifestyle, there are alternatives within the armed forces.

“If relocating frequently sounds tough, you may like to consider a career as a civilian dental practitioner (CDP). As a CDP, you are salaried to deliver the same high quality, operationally focused dental care, without the need to deploy or uproot yourself every few years.”

A fulfilling career choice

For Sunmeet, the combination of clinical practice, leadership, and adventure makes the role deeply fulfilling.

“As a big believer in 'variety is the spice of life', I am grateful for the myriad of opportunities and experiences that this career has already provided. The combination of clinical practice, leadership, and adventure has been both professionally rewarding and personally enriching.

I feel a real sense of purpose, and there have been so many personal and professional growth opportunities. All of this has made my time in the military an immensely valuable chapter of my life and I would strongly recommend anyone to consider it.”