FORT RILEY, Kansas  –   The Custer Hill Dental Clinic officially reopened its doors to Soldiers Aug. 28 following an extensive two-year renovation that transformed the facility into a viable dental care center for the 1st Infantry Division.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the milestone reopening of Fort Riley's largest dental facility, featuring 35 dental operatories strategically located in the heart of the installation at 7670 Parker Road. The clinic, also known as Dental Clinic #3, had been closed since July 2023 due to infrastructure failures that began with HVAC system breakdown and in burst pipes.

During the ceremony, COL Laudino Castillo, commander of Irwin Army Community Hospital, emphasized the clinic's critical role in maintaining the Division's combat readiness.

“Dental readiness has been a key component of Soldiers' medical readiness to deploy, fight and win decisively our nation's wars since the Civil War in the 1860s,” Castillo said. “As the director of Health Services at Fort Riley, it is my mission to ensure the 1st Infantry Division's Soldiers are medically ready – always.”

The reopening addresses one of the key priorities set by Maj. Gen. Monté L. Rone, Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division, to enhance Soldier care by increasing dental readiness. The clinic's location, approximately a football field away from the nearest barracks, provides convenient access for Soldiers who previously faced transportation challenges reaching dental appointments at other facilities.

LTC Aaron Amano, Dental Health Activity commander and deputy commander for dental services, detailed the extensive challenges that led to the prolonged closure. “It began with an HVAC failure during the peak of summer, forcing staff to relocate to the 1st Division Dental Clinic,” Amano said. “Because of staffing constraints, the facility remained vacant into the winter, when a heating failure caused the pipes to freeze and burst, flooding the building.”

The comprehensive renovation included installation of a new HVAC system with updated computer controls, new fire sprinkler systems, a refurbished roof, and new instrument washers and sterilizers. Multiple teams from safety, facilities, infection control, joint commission readiness, and patient safety worked collaboratively to ensure the facility meets the highest standards for safe, reliable dental care.

Originally built in the 1960s to modernize Fort Riley's dental facilities, the Custer Hill Dental Clinic has undergone several remodels over the decades to keep pace with evolving technology and the growing needs of the Division. Amano highlighted the historical importance of dental readiness, noting that even during the Civil War, recruits needed “six opposing front teeth—the minimum required to bite off the paper cartridges used with muzzle-loaded weapons.”

Today's mission extends far beyond basic requirements. “Anyone who has experienced dental pain knows it can be debilitating—affecting sleep, concentration, and performance, sometimes even leading to life-threatening conditions,” Amano said. “A single Soldier's dental emergency MEDEVAC can compromise the entire team” in large-scale combat operations.

COL Castillo praised the dedication of the teams who worked tirelessly to reopen the facility, including those who worked after hours and weekends to monitor for leaks and humidity levels. “I do not have enough words to express my gratitude for their selfless service to make sure that this milestone was reached today,” he said.

The reopening expands dental care capacity for Fort Riley, with the 35-chair facility operating Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“With today's reopening, we return world-class dental care to where it is needed most—on Custer Hill—bringing proximity back to where most Soldiers live and work, which is vital to mission success,” Amano said.