Resources for Spouses and Surviving Spouses

One goal of the SSSC is to identify resources that may help spouses of active-duty and retired members of the Army Dental Care team, as well as widows and widowers of those who have served.

We will update this page as additional resources are identified. If you know of a resource or have tips you would like to share, please send the information to assoc.army.dentistry@gmail.com. Together we can make this Web page a valuable tool for Army Dental spouses everywhere.

Welcome to the Army Dental Care Team

Long before the Army Dental Corps was officially founded on March 3, 1911, spouses were supporting their husbands and wives who provided dental care to Soldiers. Whether helping move their families to a new assignment, serving as Red Cross volunteers or juggling home, family and work while their service member is deployed, spouses make important contributions.

The Army Dental Care System ensures dental readiness and supports soldiers whether they are in garrison or are deployed in a combat environment. Your spouse is part of a large team of active-duty and reserve Dental and Medical Service Corps officers, non-commissioned officers, enlisted Soldiers, civilians and volunteers who provide dental care.

Learn more about the mission, services and leadership of the U.S. Army Dental Corps at AMEDD Army Dental Corps.

Family, friends, and neighbors are often your best support system. However, there are many resources to help you adjust to life as an Army spouse or a new assignment.

Childcare Resources

Military Childcare dot Com: This is a secure site that can help you identify childcare services at your new assignment.
Military OneSource: Help identifying local child, senior and pet care services.

Quality of Life Resources

Army Community Service: Provides multiple services for families.
Soldier Family Readiness Group (SFRG): Services for families of deployed Soldiers.
Soldier for Life: Information about opportunities for spouses to further their education.
Military OneSource: Information about many services that support Army spouses and their families.

Is it PCS time? If you are wondering what the new Army installation has to offer, check out Military OneSource for information about Army installations around the world.

Thinking About the Unthinkable

The Winter 2023 issue of the AAD Newsletter includes an article about things you can do now to help your next of kin when mourning may make decision making more difficult. It also offers a list of resources for military spouses, including:

Military Connect: Run by the Department of Defense and the Defense Manpower Data Center, this is a general clearing house of information and may be a good first step if you aren’t certain where to turn.

DFAS (1-888-332-7411): It is important to notify DFAS, especially if the service member elected the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) option. Retired pay stops the day the service member dies. The SBP annuity begins the next day. The process may take a while, but once DFAS knows of the service member’s death, the rest should be automatic. The DFAS website contains a lot of valuable information for surviving spouses.

Army Retirement Services Office: Support services for survivors of deceased service members are available through Army Retirement Services.

DMDC/DEERS Support Office (1-800-538-9552): Contacting DEERS is the first step in obtaining a new ID card and maintaining your healthcare benefits.

Veterans Affairs: Notifying the VA is important if the deceased service member was receiving VA benefits. The VA may help cover funeral and burial costs. Veterans also may be entitled to funeral honors.

AAFMAA (1-888-707-1850): If the deceased service member had insurance through AAFMAA, one of their advisors can assist you in many aspects of the notification and claims process.

Survivor Outreach Services (SOS): Provides long-term support to families of fallen Soldiers.

Spouses who live near a military installation may have access to additional resources.

Association of Army Dentistry

Association of Army Dentistry

Association of Army Dentistry