U.S. Army dental emergency rates in Bosnia.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to report on overall dental emergency rates and rates by dental classification of a U.S. Army peacekeeping operation longer than 6 months in the year 2000. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of dental emergencies experienced by soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment as a part of Stabilization Force VII. Before the deployment, all soldiers received dental examinations and the necessary dental treatment to make them class 1 or 2. A dental emergency was identified from field treatment records when a soldier presented to the clinic for a "sick call," emergency, or trauma visit. RESULTS: Retrospective review of the records identified 211 dental emergencies. Class 1 soldiers experienced 75 dental emergencies and class 2 soldiers experienced 136 emergencies. 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment soldiers spent an average of 201.95 days deployed. The overall emergency rate was 156 dental emergencies per 1,000 soldiers per year. Class 1 and 2 rates were 121 and 185 dental emergencies per 1,000 troops per year, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results tend to confirm that dental emergencies continue to be a threat to overall readiness in deployed environments. Military planners need to ensure that the dental component of future forces are sufficient to care for the expected emergencies.

Allergic contact stomatitis from a gold alloy--fixed partial denture.

Allergic contact stomatitis to gold is rare. To our knowledge, seven cases caused by dental restorations have been previously reported. Each of the patients was female. This report documents an allergic reaction to gold in a fixed prosthesis. A female patient, previously sensitized to gold earrings, experienced an itching and burning pain sensation and ulceration of the oral tissues adjacent to the gold restoration. Patch tests confirmed the allergy to gold. The dentist needs to be aware of the symptoms that are characteristic of the allergic manifestations of gold. Inquiries about allergies to metals and jewelry should be a part of the medical history. Any patient experiencing pain, itching, burning, and ulceration of the mucosa adjacent to a cast gold restoration should be suspected of an allergic contact stomatitis.

Contract grading in community dentistry.

Dental educators are constantly searching for ways to improve the affective environment within dental education. To enhance dental student independence and motivation while reducing anxiety, the authors implemented a contract grading teaching and evaluation technique within their community dentistry courses. This paper reports on faculty and student experiences with the contract grading system. The findings suggest that style of teaching and evaluation may enhance a more personalized understanding of course material and reduce student anxiety during the learning process.