title: Roles of dentists and dental hygienists in two major earthquakes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years, disasters that overwhelm the capacity of humans have been frequent. However, international cooperation has been swift as a result of advances in transportation, enabling the more prompt administration of First Aid.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have had two opportunities to observe outcomes in oral hygiene immediately after and 10 months after two different major disasters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The types of food provided to survivors altered their sense of taste and resulted in the occurrence of dental caries several months after an earthquake. In addition, it is difficult to practise good oral hygiene in the aftermath of a disaster.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed the occurrence of previously undocumented problems related to dental issues, such as changes in children's sense of taste caused by unfamiliar types of food provided in relief shelters. Dentists and dental hygienists who are involved in the relief of survivors in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster should focus on maintaining good oral health in order to prevent the occurrence of dental caries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health and Development Sciences, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryoichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taura
authors.forename: Emi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Takeyosi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koseki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002099:Cacao / Q000009:adverse effects; D002182:Candy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D003815:Dentists; D003778:Dentures; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005502:Food; D006205:Haiti; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D024382:Professional Role; D012066:Relief Work; D018881:Suburban Health; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D019422:Dietary Sucrose