OP TRENTON 3: An analysis of primary care presentations to a deployed role 1 in support of a United Nation peacekeeping operation.

OBJECTIVES: Health data of operational relevance from South Sudan are lacking, outdated and non-representative. This study sets out to record and analyse primary healthcare (PHC) presentations to a deployed UK Level 1 Primary Healthcare Centre (L1 PHC) facility in Bentiu, South Sudan, to inform on disease prevalence for UK Military Personnel in a sub-Saharan Operational environment. METHODS: A prospective single-centre cohort study was completed for all PHC presentations to a UK L1 PHC facility while deployed on the United Nations Mission to South Sudan from June 2017 to November 2017. RESULTS: 861 episodes of clinical care were recorded at Bentiu Camp during the 6-month period. 82% were from disease; 18% non-battle injuries and no battle injuries were seen. As per EPINATO2 categorisation, the top three presentations were acute gastrointestinal disease, dermatological disease and routine clinical care. Differences were noted for June-August and September-November, as a proportion of total cases seen. It was noted that gastrointestinal illnesses were three times more likely in the first half of the operation and bites and sting almost twice as likely. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal disease results in a significant burden on humanitarian operations where an extended Relief-in-Place is a key area of risk. The EPINATO2 reporting tool provides insufficient detail for planning purposes and an improved method of data collection is required. Targeting the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases during predeployment training should prepare L1 PHC for the most common cases encountered. Delivery of targeted Force Health Protection training for all personnel with early deployment of L1 PHC forward could improve support to commanders during the highest risk periods.

Costs in providing facilities for treatment of handicapped patients under general anaesthesia.

The cost of providing dental treatment for severely mentally/physically handicapped patients under general anaesthesia in a specially designed unit are investigated in this study. The costs involved in the provision of such treatment were found to be high at 613 IR Pounds per patient. It is recommended that the full potential of primary care services for handicapped patients be developed in order to reduce the use of these necessary, but expensive secondary care facilities. It is also recommended that such facilities should be shared with other services in order to reduce overall costs.

Evaluation of a fortnightly school-based sodium fluoride mouthrinse 4 years following its cessation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a school-based fortnightly 0.2% sodium fluoride mouthrinse programme after children ceased to participate. The programme, which commenced at age 6 and ceased at age 12, was investigated 4 years following its cessation. Three groups of 12-year-olds and three groups of 16-year-olds were examined, i.e. children who had participated in the mouthrinse, those attending non-participating nearby schools and life-time residents of a fluoridated community. Significant differences in mean DMFT in the 12-year-olds between the mouthrinse and the control group were not found in the 16-year-old group. Mean DMFT for the mouthrinse group and those in a fluoridated community (which were the same in 12-year-olds) showed a statistically significant difference in those aged 16. Most caries found, both in 12-year-olds and in 16-year-olds, occurred on molar teeth and was found on pit and fissure surfaces. The cessation of these programmes at age 12 should be reappraised and the combination of school-based fluoride mouthrinse programmes with a fissure sealing programme is recommended.

Accidental damage to incisors amongst Irish adults.

Evidence of accidental damage to permanent incisor teeth was recorded as part of a national survey of adult dental health in Ireland. A total of 746 adults aged between 16 and 34 years were examined. The prevalence of injury was considerably higher in males and the majority of subjects in both sexes had just one tooth affected. There was a continuing increase in prevalence with age which appeared to level out after the age of 24. A high level of untreated injuries was noted in both age groups; of those injuries which were treated, composite restorations were more common in the younger age groups while extraction and replacement by a denture was more common in older subjects.

The prevalence of root surface caries amongst Irish adults.

In a national survey of adult dental health conducted in the Republic of Ireland in 1989/90 a total of 1,527 subjects aged 25 and older were examined for root surface caries. It was found that the prevalence of root surface caries was highest in older age groups and also amongst males, residents of non-fluoridated communities and those earning low incomes. Tooth loss masked the potential prevalence of root surface caries. With more persons retaining their natural teeth into middle and old age the prevalence of root surface caries is likely to increase in the future.

The organisation of dental care for groups of mentally handicapped persons.

One hundred and eighty-nine mentally handicapped persons attending both residential and non-residential institutions were examined during 1984/85. All were assessed for treatment need for caries; periodontal need was also assessed in 43 of the older patients. At base-line examination it was found that a high proportion of the dental caries remained untreated and most of the treatment that was provided consisted of extractions. Treatment was subsequently provided by a health board dental officer, junior hospital staff, final year undergraduate students or a consultant in paediatric dentistry. Most treatment requirements were met by the non-consultant personnel. A follow-up examination completed during 1987 showed a considerable improvement in the treatment of caries; periodontal treatment need remained unchanged. It can concluded from this study that it is feasible to set up an effective dental service for mentally handicapped groups, that improvements in the treatment of dental caries can be achieved in a relatively short period of time and that most treatment requirements can be met by non-consultant staff. Continuing care, particularly for periodontal disease, remains a problem.

Dental treatment needs in three institutions for the handicapped.

Treatment needs for caries, periodontal disease and dentures were assessed in 194 handicapped persons attending three institutions for the handicapped in Cork, Ireland. Criteria and methods of assessment used were those employed in the recently completed National Survey of Childrens' Dental Health in Ireland, which were based on (WHO) Oral Health Surveys--Basic Methods. The need for extractions and complicated restorations was highest in older patients, whilst the removal of sub- and supragingival calculus was the most common periodontal treatment need. Treatment was completed for 130 patients by final year dental undergraduates or junior hospital staff (primary care), while the remaining 64 were treated by consultant staff (secondary care).

Detailed examination of caries progression in 4-year-old children in a non-fluoridated area in Ireland.

314 4-year-old children were examined in Mallow, Ireland (a non-fluoridated area). 30.6% were found to be caries free. Investigation of the pattern of decay in the dentitions of these children showed the primary secondary molar as the tooth most commonly affected by caries irrespective of def score. The distribution of the disease is examined on a surface by surface basis. Decay occurring on the occlusal surface is predominant and no homogeneous pattern is found among the other surfaces. A statistical method for examining possible patterns of surface involvement is introduced.

Dental caries prevalence in 5-year-old children in Mallow (a non-fluoridated area), Cork, Ireland.

295 5-year-old children were examined in Mallow, a non-fluoridated town in North Cork to ascertain the dental status of children commencing first level education. The results were compared with those found in Baja, Hungary and in Barnsley, England. The def in Mallow was found to be 5.15 and the Met Need Index 14%. The authors suggest that the programmes of dental care should be re-examined in the light of these findings and more emphasis placed on the prevention and treatment of caries at an earlier age.