Meet Archie Jugarap, Navy Veteran turned health systems specialist for VA’s Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM), whose work in dental technology is revolutionizing dental care for Veterans.
Jugarap is using his extensive experience in the dental field to aid dental clinics in crafting 3D-printed dental prosthetics for Veterans. “In blending artistry with technology, we’re not just creating dental prosthetics, we’re transforming smiles and restoring confidence in Veterans,” he shared.
Enhancing dental care for Veterans
Jugarap’s journey into dental technology began in the Navy. Through progressive training and hands-on experience, he became a skilled dental lab technician, acquiring training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.
He left the military after eight years of service and joined Puget Sound VA in Seattle. He was on the front lines of VA’s transition from analog dentistry—traditional dentistry practices that include manual techniques—to digital dentistry, which uses computer-aided designs to develop crowns and bridges, dentures, nightguards and dental implant guides.
This digital workflow is compatible with digital manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, resulting in faster delivery of care to Veterans.
Revolutionizing Veteran patient care
Recognizing that 3D printing could revolutionize his Veteran patients’ care, Jugarap spearheaded the integration of digital dentistry workflows in Puget Sound VA’s dental clinics. He streamlined processes and reduced turnaround times for dental prosthetics, ensuring Veterans’ timely access to high-quality care.
His dedication to spreading awareness and adoption of digital dentistry extends beyond Seattle. With OAM’s help, he actively engaged with dental lab technicians across VA, sharing insights and resources to facilitate their transition to digital workflows and improve Veteran access to this new technology. And, he collaborates with VA providers to assess patient needs and design custom dental prosthetics using advanced software.
Transformative impact of dental prosthetics
The journey from analog to digital dentistry hasn’t been without its challenges. Jugarap, along with his VA biomed and Office of Information and Technology colleagues, navigated security protocols, technical hurdles and workforce transitions. The most rewarding aspect of his job remains unchanged: witnessing the transformative impact of dental prosthetics on Veterans’ lives.
“The positive impact on Veteran health care is undeniable, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of that journey,” he added.
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The best thing about being a Dental Technician is restoring function to eat properly and a big smile from patients that might have been missing teeth for a while.
I’m also a USNAVY Veteran – Photographer’s Mate, and a retired civilian Dental Technician with 35 years’ experience. The Dental Lab I worked for in Erie PA was one of the first to incorporate digital dentistry. Starting off with expensive German made 5-axis milling machines and a digital scanner that used a stylus needle to record the dental appliance data. To new current 3D SLA Printers with the help from companies like 3D Systems, 3Shape, Geomagic/Sensable, EXOCAD, and Formlabs. There is never-ending refinement of the technology that helps Dental Technicians deliver the Dentist ordered prothesis to the patients. What used to take 30-45 minutes to produce now takes only a couple minutes, and the work file can be reproduced if the need arises. And if there is a fitting error at the time of the dental appointment the work file can be brought up in seconds and adjustments made and sent to the 3D printer for a fast turnaround.
I’m in dire need of full dental care due to loss of the teeth that got worked on during boot and during active duty service. I have experienced severe loss of weight due to inability to eat a major type of foods bcuz of lack of teeth to chew!
To the Puget Sound VA:
I saw an article in DMVA register about a dentist at Puget Sound VA named Archie Jugarap who is
improving dental care for veterans. I am a retired veteran from Downingtown, Pa. who needs
implants. Can this dentist assist me?
My Dentist has been doing this for about 6 months. From what I can see, this is a great way for Dentist to make crowns, Bridges and possible Implants.
Like all the other articles in the VA News pertaining to dental care, you tell us about the top notch dental care that the VA has, but you fail to mention that only approx. 15% of veterans enrolled in VA Healthcare are eligible for dental care.
Will someone please tell us why the VA does not treat dental care like the other medical specialties? If you say that it’s too expensive, you are saying that we veterans are not worth it. In addition, those who use cost as an excuse are ignorant of the fact that poor dental care is related to other medical specialties, like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, COVID-19, and others. The American Inst. of Dental Public Health says that for every dollar the VA would spend on dental care, it would get back a dollar on what would not have to be spent on kidney disease and two dollars on heart disease, not to mention the alleviation of suffering on the part of veterans.
Everyone needs dental care, while not everyone needs the other medical specialties, such as podiatry, dermatology, gender surgery, etc.
I agree with you! Many of my veteran friends and family agree with you. The dental care for veterans needs to be more inclusive. Dental procedures and work is so expensive with the insurance we have outside of the VA. We are a mid-class income family and we can not afford dental care for everyone in our home. If the VA could cover the cost or even help with cost for my spouse who is a veteran, and myself (again veteran). That would help us tremendously and we could focus spend fortunes on our children’s dental care! Orthodontics and a few minor treatments are expensive for even one child, let alone 3.
I have VA Dental Care it’s great for cleanings and checkups. But it’s like pulling teeth (no pun intended) to get other services performed. They pulled 5 teeth (broken in Iraq) and said they were going to put implants and a crown in. But now they said they don’t want to and told me to call another Dentist outside VA at my cost to have it completed. They literally asked me if I really need those teeth, my back teeth. Doctor literally said they aren’t needed ?