A longitudinal study of dental experience during the first four years of military experience.

This longitudinal study examined changes in oral health and emergency rates of Army, Air Force, and Navy recruits during the 4 years immediately following entry on active duty. In 1998, 1,331 dental records of recruit participants in the 1994 Tri-Service Comprehensive Oral Health Survey were located, and dental readiness classification and emergency data were analyzed. All services were successful in achieving and maintaining operational readiness among 1994 recruits who spent >93% of their first 4 years of military service in a deployable oral health status (Dental Readiness Classification 1 or 2).

Changes in dental classification during the first 4 years of military service.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the way in which the oral health of recruits changed during the 4 years immediately after entry on active duty.

Methods: In 1998, 1,331 dental records of recruits in the 1994 Tri-Service Comprehensive Oral Health Survey were located, and treatment data were analyzed.

Results: Class 1, treatment complete or no treatment indicated, was achieved by 61.

Dental emergencies during SFOR 8 in Bosnia.

The purpose of this study was to report information regarding dental emergency rates, conditions that cause soldiers to present for care, and arrival patterns of dental emergency patients. Data came from a retrospective cohort analysis of dental emergencies experienced by the soldiers of the Third Infantry Division while deployed in the Multinational Division North area of Bosnia from September 2000 to March 2001. Defective restorations or caries accounted for 25% of the diagnoses prompting soldiers to report for dental sick call, third molar-related problems (pain or pericoronitis) were 19%, and periodontal conditions accounted for less than 5%.