Sir, I read with interest, but also with some concern, the article discussing the 'use of dental therapists within the UK Military Dental Service' (BDJ 2022; 232: 232-238).

I retired from the Royal Army Dental Corps in 2010 after a 45-year career, 35 years spent in uniform and ten as a civilian dental practitioner continuing to work for the MOD. I saw a lot of changes during my career, many of which involved cuts in the uniformed manpower strength of dental officers, dental hygienists, dental technicians and DCPs. Some of these cuts obviously went hand in hand with the misplaced periodic reduction in the overall strength of our Armed Forces. Many of these cuts were made not always in the best interests of the organisation, but as a cost-cutting exercise - contracted civilian personnel being a much cheaper option than those in uniform.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, any increase in the number of civilian dental staff has to be made through a compensating reduction in the number of uniformed personnel.

I wonder, with the present frightful ongoing situation in Ukraine, and an awakening and realisation that cuts in the UK Armed Forces have gone too far, if now is the right time to be even contemplating employing more civilians within any military organisation?