title: The rate of dental emergencies in French Armed forces deployed to Afghanistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to quantify the dental emergency (DE) rate observed in French soldiers serving in Afghanistan and (2) to determine the percentage of DEs that could have been prevented had predeployment treatment been provided.
  
  
  METHODS
  All DEs presenting at the French medical-surgical hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, were documented during the period of December 12, 2009 to February 6, 2010. Dental Officers documented (1) the etiology of each DE and (2) whether the DE could have been prevented with predeployment treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An estimated rate of 293 DE per 1,000 personnel per year was observed, 78% of the 210 DEs were considered preventable, and 65% of patients required medical evacuation from their units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous studies have observed high DE rates for French Army personnel. The intensity, danger, and geography of the mission in Afghanistan exacerbate the negative operational impact of dental pathologies.
authors: Military School of Artillery, BP 400 83007 Draguignan cedex, France.
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Gunepin
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Derache
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Ausset
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Berlizot
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Simecek
mesh_terms: D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D004630:Emergencies; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008885:Military Dentistry; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*