The severity of oral/facial problems treated in Iraq March 2008 to February 2009

The objective of this study was to describe the severity of oral/facial problems occurring in Navy and Marine Corps personnel deployed to Iraq.

Data documented by Navy Dental Officers deployed to Iraq were used to determine the number and type of oral/facial problems treated and to determine the percentages of severe, moderately severe, and pain/loss of function oral/facial problems treated in Iraq from March 2008 through February 2009.

During the year of data collection, a total of 13,933 dental visits were documented for Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Of these, 1,641 were encounters to treat an oral/facial problem in Navy and Marine Corps personnel. In all, 37 (2.2%) of the 1,641 encounters for oral/facial problems were considered severe, 266 (16.2%) moderately severe, and 1,338 (81.5%) were for pain/loss of function.

Although the majority of military personnel with oral/facial problems experience mild to moderate pain or loss of dental function, approximately 20% are of sufficient severity to cause the warfighter to experience a limitation of their operational capability.