Analysis of Dental Casualties in Prolonged Field Training Exercises

Abstract

Abstract : The field dental records of all soldiers reporting to dental sick call from Joint Readiness Exercises Empire Glacier-78 and Brave Shield-17 were analyzed to determine the incidence, causal factors, and amount of loss duty time due to dental emergencies. Three hundred sixty Army personnel presented as dental emergencies from a total population of 24,500 during a 39-day period, an incidence of 14.7 dental emergencies per 1000 troops. The calculated annual incidence of dental emergencies was 167.36 per 1000 troops. The main causes were caries (52 percent) and gingival conditions (22 percent). The remaining 16 percent included fractured teeth (5 percent), broken prostheses (4 percent), and miscellaneous conditions (7 percent). Dental emergencies comprised 21.5 percent of the total medical sick call. Seventy-four percent of the dental emergencies were judged to be preventable. The estimated lost duty time was 318 days for an observed rate of 13 days per 1000 troops and an estimated annual rate of 121.5 per 1000 troops. The most significant factor affecting lost duty time for treatment appeared to be the availability of transportation to and from the treatment facility. (Author)