Medical evacuation of French forces for dental emergencies: Operation Serval

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.

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.

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.

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.