THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605070321
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Sgt. Romeo Satsatin is a rare soldier - not because he's the son of a retired sailor, but because he's actually from Norfolk. He's not just passing through. Satsatin graduated from Norview High School, and he lives in Norfolk with his wife and two young sons.
He thinks he's lucky to have a job he loves, a job that ``fulfills me and gives me a sense of accomplishment.'' He has been the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Fort Story dental clinic, supervising seven others, since 1992.
The clinic sees more than 300 patients a month for dental care. In addition, 15 to 20 active duty service members come in every day for routine exams; the Army requires yearly dental exams.
``The best part of my job is that I can go out into the community and talk with young soldiers who were never into dental hygiene,'' Satsatin said, ``and have them tell me the staff did a good job taking care of them and teaching them.''
Satsatin said the Army - and he - likes to treat the dental clinic as a business: ``People won't want to come in and see us if they don't get good service.''
People sometimes don't want to visit the dentist but Satsatin said he's only run into a handful of ``really dental phobic'' soldiers who have to get medication before they sit in the treatment chair.
With seven weeks of basic training, four months of advanced training and six years' experience, Satsatin is qualified by the Army to perform dental hygiene, cleaning and exams, plus put in fillings. He hopes one day to become a dentist. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic with photo
ON THE JOB
Sgt. Romeo Satsatin, 29
Job: Dental specialist
Duty station: Dental Clinic, Fort Story Army Post
Years in military: 6 by CNB