Abstract

MOMBIEDRO SANDOVA, Rafael  and  LLENA PUY, Carmen. Oral emergencies in the Spanish military unfolded in Bosnia Herzegovina: Incidences during 9 weeks (2000-2001). RCOE [online]. 2007, vol.12, n.4, pp.237-244. ISSN 1138-123X.

This study reports about dental emergency rates and cause distribution of Spanish military troops deployed in Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH). Oral emergency is defined as those circumstances that force soldiers away from their duties or free time due to oral problems. This is a descriptive longitudinal analysis of incidences. The number of Spanish soldiers deployed in BiH in the last weeks of 2000 and the first 8 weeks of the 2001 were 1063. The soldiers received oral care at the 2nd echelon posted in Mostar-Airport, the first level of dental assistance. At the time, and before deployment, the military personnel were examined but not classified according to their oral health status. The incidence rate was of 304 attendances per 1000 military personnel per year. The distribution was as follows: 39.3% presented defective restorations or caries, pulpitis and periapical pathology 16.1%, gingivitis and periodontitis 16.1%, pericoronaritis 5.36%, post extraction related complications 1.79%, traumatisms 1.79%, fractured teeth (without trauma) 3.57%, oral pathology 1.79%, oro-facial pain / TMJ symptoms 3.57%, prosthodontics 3.57%, hyper occlusion and occlusal trauma 5.36%. From these emergencies it was concluded that 57% could have been prevented with proper previous diagnosis and treatment. For this reason prevention strategies are the key to deploying a dentally fit unit in the future.

Keywords : Incidence; Militar personnel; Emergencies; Dental Care.

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