Unique challenges in naval military dentistry.

Divers are regularly exposed to a unique and changing environment that dentists must consider when treating such patients. This review focuses around two case studies encountered in naval dentistry: (i) diving barotrauma (pressure-induced injury related to an air space); and (ii) scuba diving mouthpiece-related oral conditions. Each condition is described by its effect on the oral cavity and in particular the teeth. Then we generally review the latest literature on the different effects of scuba diving on the diver's head, face and oral regions and emphasize methods of dental disease prevention, diagnostic tools and treatment guidelines.

A Survey of US Air Force General Dentists Regarding Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacturing Usage.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to survey all United States Air Force (USAF) general dentists regarding their experience with computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) while in a dental school. Dental school graduation year and location was compared to the type and amount of CAD/CAM training and clinical experience during dental school to better understand the differences and influence of this technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey consisting of six questions was sent through e-mail to 546 general dentists in the AF Dental Corps in 2018 of which 306 replied (56% response rate). RESULTS: Dentists who graduated in 2005 or earlier and between 2006 and 2009 stated they did not receive CAD/CAM training in dental school, while more respondents in the group of graduation years 2014-2017 stated that they did receive training. About 11% of the respondents who graduated in 2014-2017 completed 6-10 restorations and 9% completed 11 or more restorations compared to the other year groups. More respondents who graduated from a dental school in the southwest and southeast regions of the United States reported completing more restorations compared to other school regions. CONCLUSION: Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing is now becoming a prevalent curriculum in US dental schools, both as a core requirement and an elective. Its training platforms varied from lectures and literature reviews to preclinical laboratory. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: More respondents in the groups of graduation years 2014-2017 had completed more CAD/CAM restorations compared to other year groups; however, most of the respondents did not feel their training was sufficient enough to use CAD/CAM technology independently.

[The crucial role of forensic odontology in the IDF].

Israel's recent military engagements have been asymmetric in nature, defining the captivity of a solider as the enemy's' strategic achievement. Casualty care during war, is a delicate mission, requiring the collaboration of 3 distinct corps - the medical corps, chaplaincy corps and the adjutant corps. In this article, we will review the crucial role forensic odontologists play in the identification of casualties. In addition to biometric identification which is carried out through DNA analysis, fingerprint co-matching and forensic odontology, the forensic battalion of the medical corps investigates the cause of death, delivering crucial information to different branches of the military.

[Dental care to military dogs].

Oketz is a military special unit that operates different dog species for various missions. The dogs get routine medical and dental treatments in order to maintain their health and function. The dental treatment is based on the principles of contemporary dentistry for small animals. Furthermore, these working dogs need special care due to higher risk to trauma and attrition. The dogs go through routine dental examination and prophylactic dental cleaning. Each dental procedure is performed under general anesthesia; therefore it is well planned ahead including all the pre-operative workup needed. The article presents the current concepts of dental treatment of dogs especially in respect to their activity.

[The influence of military underwater activity on the oral cavity].

The military dentists who serve in the navy, treat divers, among other patients. Divers are being exposed to a changing, unique environment on a regular basis. The aim of this article is to review latest literature on the different effects of scuba diving on the diver's head, face and oral regions and to emphasize methods of disease prevention, diagnostic tools and treatment guidelines. The review focuses on diving barotrauma (pressure- induced injury related to an air space) as well as scuba diving mouthpiece-related oral conditions, which include facial, jaw pain and headaches, decompression sickness and mouthpiece-related herpes infection. Each condition is described by its effect on the oral cavity and in particular the teeth.

[Dental health and the combat readiness].

Oral diseases are still amongst the most common human ailments in the western world and in Israel. Acute dental illness may cause intense pain, malaise, nutrition impairment, disturbance and loss of operative activities. The article reviews the literature from the last two decades regarding dental classification of military service candidates, incidence of acute dental conditions and emergency treatment needs in military population, and dental preparation programs for military recruits.

[Research in military dentistry in the Israeli Medical Corps].

The article reviews selected studies conducted in the Dental branch of the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps in the topics of dental caries, prosthodontics, periodontics, dental trauma and maxillofacial injuries, aviation dentistry and diving dentistry, dental managing and health economics, decision making in military dentistry, dental anxiety, oral medicine in military population, temporomandibular disorders, and dental-related lifestyle and health behavior.

[Dental care to the Israeli Defense Forces' fighters].

The combat soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) get comprehensive dental care. The service of a combat soldier in the IDF can be divided into two periods: the period of training that includes basic training and advanced training lasting six to eight months, followed by a period of operational activity within the framework of the battalions. Throughout his service, the combat soldier is exposed to dental disease including dental caries, periodontal disease and dental trauma attributed to his terms of service with low availability to maintain adequate oral hygiene in high intensity training. There is no available data as to the dental status of new recruits. This information is needed in order to determine the level of oral and dental health among combatsoldiers in order to guarantee operational continuity. Every recruit undergoes a full dental examination in order to determine his level of oral and dental health. From this point on, dental treatment is offered and performed according to the level of oral and dental health, in order to treat the most severe levels. The dental treatment is carried out so that throughout his service, the combat soldier is summoned to various dental clinics: the base unit training clinic, clinics serving the Brigades and experts clinics. All the factors mentioned above, are designed to help increase the provision of therapy, and lead to an increase in the number of fighters who receive comprehensive dental care.

[Military aviation dentistry].

The aim of this article is to introduce the concepts of military aviation dentistry, including facial barotraumas (external otitic barotrauma, barosinusitis and barotitis- media), dental barotrauma, barodontalgia, and dental care for aircrews. Special considerations have to be made when planning restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic and surgical treatment to an aircrew patient. The article supplies the military dental officer with diagnostic and treatment guidelines, and the principles of prevention, periodic examination, and dental-related flight restriction.

[Multidisciplinary approach to oral rehabilitation in wounded fighters].

Maxillofacial injuries during military service and in operations in particular, often involve soft and hard tissues, including fractures of bone and teeth. This kind of injury demands a multidisciplinary approach including specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery periodontists, endodontics, orthodontics and prosthodontics. A comprehensive therapy is achieved by a complete cooperation between the disciplines for a long-term. We present a case report of a complex oral rehabilitation of a fighter wounded in "Zuk Eitan" operation, as an example of the multidisciplinary approach in our department.

[Necrotizing ulcerative diseases in military population].

Necrotizing ulcerative diseases were prevalent in military personnel throughout history. Nowadays, its prevalence declined substantially in industrialized countries. Studies among immunocompromised patients suggest it is still a reason for concern among this population. We present two cases diagnosed and treated at our department. It seems that necrotizing ulcerative diseases are still a relevant entity in the Israeli Defense forces therefore it is of great importance to conduct proper diagnosis, treatment and follow up of the patients.

[Big data in dentistry and oral medicine].

Knowledge about the extent of dental and oral diseases and needs in Israel is very limited with no official governmental body responsible for data collection. The aim of the "Dental Oral Scale (DOS) project is to measure the extent of dental and oral diseases, their risk factors, and their association with demographics and various systemic conditions. The DOS project includes demographic, dental and medical records of all patients attending IDF dental clinics in 2014, as well as a control group of patients. Records were obtained from three computerized military databases: a sociodemographic record, a medical record (Clinical Patient Record-CPR) and a dental record (Dental Patient Record-DPR). The DOS project analyses the associations between these oral-health related conditions and sociodemographic parameters as well as behavioral parameters and systemic general health-related conditions.

[Retrospective analysis of dental trauma among soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces].

OBJECTIVE: Determination of the incidence, types and causes of traumatic dental incidents (TDIs) among Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers. STUDY DESIGN: Dental trauma reports from all active IDF dental clinics between the years 2000-2010 were analyzed. A total of 1671 dental trauma reports were classified according to the incidence, causes and etiologies of the injuries, the number and type of traumatized teeth, and the types of dental injuries. Statistical associations between the number of trauma cases and gender, type of training of the soldier, and the month during which the injury occurred were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of dental injuries was 19.65 cases/10,000 soldiers/year. In basic training bases, 75.49 dental trauma cases/10,000 soldiers/year were found in comparison to 14.28 cases in all other bases. Male soldiers were 4.24 times more prone to dental injuries than female soldiers. Significantly more trauma cases occurred during the months of January and August (rate ratio 1.39 and 1.33 respectively), and significantly fewer cases occurred in July (rate ratio 0.59). The most frequent circumstances of TDIs were military training and work related injuries (29.5% and 15% respectively). The etiology of 56.3% of the injuries was trauma from blunt objects that are not a weapon. Of the injuries, 34.9% occurred as a result of trauma from the personal weapon of the soldier. Most trauma cases involved one or two injured teeth (73.2% and 20.1% respectively). Of the trauma cases, 33.8% involved the right maxillary central incisor and 32.5% involved the left maxillary central incisor. There was no significant difference between injuries on the right or left side. The most frequent type of dental injury was a crown fracture (72.8%). CONCLUSION: The risk factors for dental trauma found in this study were male soldiers during basic training in the months of January and August. Most TDIs resulted from blunt objects including personal weapons. Crown fracture was the most frequent type of injury.

French Mobile Dental Vehicles during the Great War.

The development and implementation of mobile dental clinics in World War I is described.

Ron Gain and his dental practice before and during the Second World War.

A history of Ronald Gain's dental practice is described including his service during the Second World War. An account is given of the bomb damage in and around the practice in Peckham Rye.

Dental treatment on a German warship during a three-month deployment.

INTRODUCTION: Despite routine dental screenings and treatments before military deployments, dental emergencies may arise due to acute infections, trauma or failed restorations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dental service during a three-month deployment on a German warship. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of dental attendances and treatments in a German naval task group of three ships with an average total of 650 soldiers. Diagnosis, treatments performed, percentage of emergencies, routine procedures and numbers of appointments were recorded. RESULTS: Out of 650 soldiers, there were 71 patients (10.92%) with a mean age of 25.1 ±5 .3 years. Out of 136 treatments, 17.65% were for emergency treatment, which is equivalent to 3.69% of all servicemen of the task group. Combining the reasons for dental emergencies, 95.84% were caused by caries. CONCLUSIONS: The pre-screening of sailors before an overseas deployment is necessary to avoid severe dental treatments. Caries remains the main cause for dental emergencies, and medical doctors should be trained to treat caries lesions if a dentist is not on board.

The Rewarding Experience of Serving as a US Air Force Dentist.

Providing care to service members and veterans as an active duty United States Air Force (USAF) dentist is a unique and rewarding experience that can be quite different from the private sector. As a USAF officer, I balance military and dental responsibilities, which has taught me to be flexible and adaptive. Virtually every dentist in the dental corps (DC), unless they are a resident, holds some form of a leadership position, whether that be overseeing clinic operations, the laboratory, an infection control program, or so on. The USAF doesn't just build clinicians, it builds leaders.

Training satisfaction versus dissatisfaction among chief residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery--a pilot survey.

PURPOSE: To survey chief residents in accredited oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) training programs to assess their satisfaction with their surgical training and analyze their career plans after residency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 19-question anonymous survey was electronically mailed to 212 individuals identified as graduating chief residents in accredited OMS training programs. RESULTS: Ninety-four individuals (44%) completed the survey. Of these 85 were men (90.4%) and 9 were women (9.6%). Average age was 32 years. Forty-seven respondents (50%) completed the 4-year traditional OMS programs, 37 respondents (39.4%) completed the 6-year MD integrated programs, 9 respondents (9.6%) completed the 4-year MD option programs, and 1 listed "other" as a program type. Fifty-two individuals (55.3%) planned a full-time private practice career, 5 (5.3%) planned a full-time academic career, 3 (3.2%) planned a military career, 27 (28.7%) planned a combined private practice and academic career, and 7 (7.4%) planned to complete a fellowship after residency. Seventy-nine of all respondents (84%) were satisfied with their OMS training program, whereas 15 (16%) were not. CONCLUSION: Most participants of this survey were satisfied with their training program and OMS as a career. However, it is important to note that less than half (44%) of chief residents who received this survey completed it. This short survey is a pilot survey; a more involved evaluation of OMS resident satisfaction is planned, further assessing satisfaction and burnout during residency.

[Treatment organization for patients with gunshot wounds of the maxillo-facial region evacuated during the military operations in the Far East (1938-1939) and the war with Finland (1939-1940)].

This article describes the path of the maxillo-facial surgery to becoming an independent part of the general surgery. We will look closely at the experience, gained y field surgeons during the events at Lake Hasan and Halkin-Gol river. The war with Finland, that enabled the surgeons to develop the system of specialized dental help for the gunshot wounds, to create standarts of specialized equipment, examples of splints, etc, which were widely used during the World War II.

[About improvement of outpatient dental health service for young serviceman].

The article gives a detailed account of results of epidemiological survey of dental morbidity in young serviceman and different types of outpatient dental health service needs. Medical norms for dispensary supply with all types of outpatient dental health service for young servicemen are estimated. Suggestions for improvement of organizational and staff structure of dental office of medical company are formulated.