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Dentistry—outside of the box

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. John Hultquist
  • 375th Dental Squadron
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  In August 2009, the 375th Dental Squadron was given the opportunity to participate in a DENTRETE - DENTal REadiness Training Exercise. DENTRETE is a relatively new concept the Air Force Dental Corps is using to maintain readiness skills and provide humanitarian care. This DENTRETE was part of a Joint Task Force known as New Horizons Guyana which involved participation from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines through AFSOUTH.

Our group from Scott was one of three teams selected in the Air Force Dental Corps to participate and provide dental care in Guyana, South America. The Scott team spent two weeks in Georgetown, Guyana providing care to over 620 Guyanese patients. In total, 1,880 host nation patients received care during the six week exercise. I served as the team leader and oral surgeon.

The rest of the team consisted of three general dentists from Scott: Capts. Jeff Burroughs, Ted Jackson and Kim Morio; one general dentist from McGuire: Capt. Shawn McMahon; one general dentist from Columbus: Capt. Teneshia Nelson; and 13 dental technicians from Scott: Senior master Sgt. Tom Weinert; Master Sgts. Jen Baugher, and Andy McCoy; Tech. Sgts. Shanette Jean, Tech. Sgt. Julia Madison, Staff Sgt. Felicia Calen, David Hager, Remy Haley-Reed, Chris Harmer and Derrick Hunter; and Senior Airmen Brittany Grabowski and Ewillie Simon.

As opposed to other dental missions in the past where only extractions were performed, we provided comprehensive dental treatment, just like what is provided here locally. Treatment included restorations, root canals, cleanings, extractions and even tooth replacement. The team established a make-shift dental clinic in a middle school using mobile dental carts and mobile digital x-ray equipment. In addition, a dental lab and sterilization center was set-up. Conditions were not the greatest, especially with the heat, humidity and rolling blackouts, but we made the best of the situation and saw an average of over 60 patients per day and provided over $200,000 worth of dental treatment.

The Scott team's skill and dedication to patient care made significant changes in the lives of many who would not otherwise have had access to standard dental care. Care ranged from providing repairs to broken dentures to removing a cystic growth from the jaw of a pregnant woman to removing an impacted tooth from a young boy in severe pain. These are just some of the many great things we were able to do during this exercise.

This experience was very rewarding for all involved. It was incredible to experience our patient's gratitude, not only through hugs and tears, but especially through the smiles on their faces. Most Guyanese are unable to afford standard dental care, so the service and care these three teams were able to provide to these people was tremendous. This experience is one that I will always remember, as will the others on the Scott team.