Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Preventive Dentistry Programs: Assessment of the Relationship between Past Dental Experience and Dental Sick Call in the Field
Abstract
The relationship between dental sick call during Army field training exercises and prior dental experience of Army personnel was examined by analyzing data on 92 soldiers who reported to field support dental facilities for emergency conditions and data on 97 randomly selected soldiers who participated in the same exercises but did not report for dental emergencies in the field. Approximately 7745 Troops from different units participated over a time period of 117 days in 3 separate field exercises. The findings indicate an annual dental sick call rate of 234 per 1,000 soldiers. Caries was the most frequent cause of the emergencies (41.2%) followed by third molar/pericoronitis (15.9%), defective filling or fractured tooth (11.0%), gingival and peridontal problems (9.3%), and trauma (2.7%). The most frequent primary treatment rendered in the exercises was extraction (20.9% of primary treatment). When considering all treatment, perscription of medications was the most frequent (35.4%). Eighty-four percent (84%) of the patients were returned to duty without further evacuation. The finding most pertinent to the purpose of this study was that significantly more of the control group had completed the requirements of their last Army Oral Health Maintenance Program (AOHMP). That is, they were given a dental examination during their last birthmonth. The sick call group completed AOHMP requirements in 29.2% of the cases compared to 45.4% for the control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA107506
Entities
People
- David G. Brunner
- John E. King
- Warren A. Parker
Organizations
- Academy of Health Sciences