Joint Dental Clinic Operation Cleans Teeth, Brightens Smiles of Baghdad Children

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Sgt. Jeffrey Ledesma, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula

[SandRat]

Dr. Mohammad Kasim, the Iraqi Special Operations Forces' chief dentist, examines the teeth of a local Iraqi child during the first "Smile Day" at the ISOF dental clinic located on an Iraqi military compound in Baghdad, June 29. Photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Ledesma, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula.

BAGHDAD — Dozens of Iraqi children scampered from one station to the next during the first "Smile Day" at the Iraqi Special Operations Forces’ Dental Clinic here, June 28 and 29.

A cordial staff of Iraqi dentists and dental hygienists, along with Coalition volunteers, conducted the event that introduced approximately 50 young visitors to dental care. The fun-filled affair, manned by a team of four dentists and 10 technicians, was designed to educate the local children about preventative care.

With the summer heat starting to reach new heights, a bus-load of children marched into a cool air-conditioned waiting room and were greeted with smiling faces, coloring books and an assortment of toys. However, it wasn't all fun and games for the youthful crowd.

"The goal is to teach them life-long habits that they can carry with them to prevent dental decay," said Air Force Master Sgt. Mark DiBurro. "That they learn the techniques that they can bring home, adopt and utilize."

As he stated the goal of the event, the dental advisor pointed out a dental puppet sitting on a near-by table that the dental team uses to help in the educational process.

"Hopefully, they adopt a fondness to make sure they take care of their oral health," said the affable DiBurro. "We want them to appreciate the importance of taking care of their teeth and maintaining their oral hygiene for a lifetime."

While the American volunteers helped out by conducting the dental screenings and cleanings, the Iraqi dental staff handled all of the actual dental work.

Work performed on the children included sealants, a protective covering that goes over the tooth to prevent decay from occurring in the future. According to DiBurro, sealants are known to reduce oral caries, also known as cavities or tooth decay, by 60 to 80 percent.

"We are screening kids for any oral pathologies, oral caries, and seeing what problems they have," said Dr. Mohammad Kasim, the ISOF dentist. "These children live here and don't have access to dental care so we are giving them the care they want to prevent future dental problems."

"We can prevent disease before it ever even occurs," DiBurro explained. "You're saving a lot of manpower, a lot of time, a lot of discomfort for patients in the future."

The group of Iraqi and American servicemembers all took away something different from the two-day affair.

"I am very happy... because I know all the kids here eat a lot of candy and all those sweets," said Maj. Raheem Falen, a civil affairs officer who helped facilitate the event. According to Falen, who spoke through an interpreter, everyone was ecstatic to get involved in "Smile Day."

For some this was a new experience, and for Kasim, it was certainly worthwhile.

"We're teaching them how to brush, how to floss, how to take care of their teeth and how important dental care is. It's a great thing," Kasim stated. "The children experience the dental clinic and they can get used to it."

Kasim, an easygoing doctor who spoke fluent English, hopes that the children get comfortable being in the dentist chair.

He then mentioned the common fear people have of visiting a dentist. With a smile on his face, Kasim said perhaps the children will convince their parents to come to the dental clinic as well after the time they have spent here.

"It's very rewarding to see the children smile and have fun interacting with dental personnel," DiBurro said. "Not only by getting their teeth clean, but just hanging out and getting to know each other."

At the end of the day, Kasim said he hoped both the children and the military dental staff leave with something to smile about.

[SandRat]

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[Hot Tabasco]

Oh great! Iraq is not only a military quagmire but now it’s a quagmire of tooth decay! Time to pull out!