Medical evacuation of French forces for dental emergencies: Operation Serval.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the number of intratheater dental Medical evacuations (MEDEVACs) required for French Soldiers in Mali during Operation Serval and (2) determine a Soldier's time away from their unit because of MEDEVAC, dental treatment, and return to unit.


METHODS
Data concerning MEDEVACs occurring during Operation Serval were recorded by the Patient Evacuation Coordination Center. MEDEVACs resulting from oral/facial/dental conditions were evaluated for the period from February 15, 2013 to May 15, 2013.


RESULTS
Fifty-four (15.7%) of the 338 MEDEVACs recorded were required to treat dental emergencies. Dental emergencies accounted for 54 (23.9%) of nonbattle injury MEDEVACs. Soldiers evacuated for dental problems were unavailable to their units an average of 10.5 days.


CONCLUSIONS
French military personnel often require MEDEVAC to treat dental problems occurring in the theater of operation. Dental casualties requiring MEDEVAC are absent from their units for almost 2 weeks, which could drastically decrease their operational capacity and ability to complete their mission. Predeployment dental readiness and the presence of a dental surgeon in close proximity to deployed forces may reduce the number of MEDEVACs required and reduce the time away from the unit.
Underwater Therapeutics Operational Research, French Military Institute of Biomedical Research, BP 600 83800 Toulon CEDEX 9, France.
Mathieu
M
Gunepin
Military Medical Center of Draguignan, BP 400 83007 Draguignan CEDEX, France.
Florence
F
Derache
Underwater Therapeutics Operational Research, French Military Institute of Biomedical Research, BP 600 83800 Toulon CEDEX 9, France.
Jean-Eric
JE
Blatteau
Naval Air Station Landivisiau,29240 Brest CEDEX 9, France.
Christophe
C
Bombert
Naval Medical Research Institute San Antonio,3650 Chambers Pass, B-3610, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6315.
John
J
Simecek
D004630:Emergencies; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008302:Mali; D008889:Military Personnel; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*