Keeping digger’s bite to stay in the fight

Gum pain or toothache can impact your ability to fight, reducing focus and resolve.

CAPTION: Royal Navy’s dental surgeon Lieutenant Grace Smalley, left, and dental nurse Able Rate Jamie Shand, both from 40 Commando, perform a dental examination on an Australian Army soldier during Exercise Predator’s Run at the Bradshaw Field Training Area. Story and photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

And if treatment isn’t close by, evacuation may be required, weakening your section.

To mitigate this, a UK and Australian military dental team embedded with the Role 2 Basic – a medical treatment facility – to take part in casualty exercises and to treat patients during Exercise Predator’s Run at Bradshaw Field Training Area in July.

Integrating a dental capability into the Role 2 Basic was a first for Army.

Royal Navy dental surgeon Lieutenant Grace Smalley, of 40 Commando, said their addition provided treatments that otherwise wouldn’t be possible, enabling soldiers to remain in the field.

“Out here, we can offer a wide range of treatment options similar to those in a hard-standing treatment centre,” Lieutenant Smalley said.

During prolonged operations, oral care can be neglected due to stress, increased sugar intake and blunt-force trauma.

Common conditions include chipped teeth, ulcerative gingivitis, also known as trench mouth, and reversible pulpitis.

“These are all conditions that can cause severe pain, but often have simple treatments,” Lieutenant Smalley said.

Lance Corporal Adrian Murphy, of 1st Health Battalion, said for Australian soldiers in the field, these treatments would be more accessible with new equipment being introduced.

“We’re procuring the same portable units the UK use. We’ll be lighter and more manoeuvrable,” he said.

The BPR Swiss Smart-Port integrates the most important functions and operations of a dental-treatment unit while fitting in a suitcase weighing 12kg.

Royal Navy dental nurse Able Rate Jamie Shand, of 40 Commando, said to avoid problems, it was important to practise good dental hygiene.

“While in the field, it’s important to chew the sugar-free gum included in the ration pack after meals. This helps re-mineralise your mouth and can slow down the progression of decay,” she said.

She also emphasised the importance of flossing, saying not doing so was a leading cause of tooth decay.

Lance Corporal Murphy said dental teams provided free brushes, floss and toothpaste.

“Back on base, soldiers are entitled to at least one yearly dental clean and may require more. It’s important that everyone takes advantage of that to prevent problems down the road,” he said.

During the exercise, the dental team also helped as extra hands during a mass casualty exercise, taking care of the simulated dead and dying, and securing enemy casualties.

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