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Dentist takes Care of Troops

Photo By Spc. Michael Pfaff | Capt. Christopher D. Gartland, a dentist with the 64th BSB, and Spc. Andrea Smith, a...... read more read more

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

06.12.2006

Courtesy Story

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BAQUBAH, Iraq (May 22, 2006) " When most people think of combat healthcare, an image of medics in the heat of battle, dressing injuries or doctors in hospitals caring for the wounded may come to mind.

Some military healthcare professionals are giving Soldiers deployed to Iraq a little taste of home, though, even if it means pulling teeth.

The dental clinic provided by the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, provides many dental procedures to Soldiers that aren't always expected in a combat zone.

"We're sort of something people are surprised to see here," said Capt. Christopher D. Gartland, a dentist with the 64th BSB and Denver, Colo., native. "We"d like to think being here makes it a little more like home for Soldiers."

The dental clinic offers many unlikely procedures to be found in Iraq, such as cleanings, fillings, root canals, and extractions. Gartland said that Soldiers appreciate the dental care, even though some may not think of dental work as a necessity in combat.

"People don't think we're absolutely necessary, until they get a toothache, then they're glad we're out here," Gartland joked.

"When we first found out we were being deployed, we thought we were going to be in a field environment," said Spc. Andrea G. Smith, a dental specialist with the 64th BSB and Indianapolis, Ind., native. "So we put together a field kit enabling us to do everything in the field."

They were relieved when they arrived to find a fully operational office with dental chairs and x-ray machines.

The office allows them to provide extensive dental care to Soldiers with dental problems. It also allows them to provide care to the third country nationals.

"If we don't have an interpreter, there can be a language barrier," Gartland said. "We use a lot of hand signals., it's nice to get to work with a variety of people. The Georgians here come in and have the most fun I've ever seen at a dentist."

In addition to third country nationals, Gartland and Smith work on the occasional detainee who can't eat or sleep because of dental problems.

"At first we were a bit apprehensive about working with the detainees," Gartland said. "But, we've gotten more comfortable working with them. It's a funny sort of relationship because these guys are supposed to be fighting. We know we're not going to change the world, but if we treat these guys with respect it might be a little harder for them to pull the trigger next time."

Because of the preparation before the deployment, the dental clinic isn't confined to their office on FOB Warhorse. Gartland, Smith, and others in the office travel to the surrounding smaller bases in a makeshift portable dental clinic, similar to the ambulances medics use, in order to provide some dental care to Soldiers who don't have emergency problems.

"We put a road show together and go out to the other FOBs," said Smith. "We don't get as much work done there as we do in the clinic, but the Soldiers feel good that we haven't forgotten about them."

The dentists and dental assistants here may not be saving lives like medics or combat surgeons, but they do provide a crucial asset in that they keep Soldiers combat effective and help lift the morale by keeping providing care that many associate with the splendors of being stateside.

"I love dentistry," Gartland said. "And, working with Soldiers has been great. I get to meet people from all walks of life, and if I can relieve a Soldier's toothache to keep them focused on the mission, that's important to me."