During my deployment I've run into several different categories of animals that we interact with. I hadn't realized it, but there are 2 types of working dogs in the military. There are the K-9 units. These dogs work with the military police and are trained in specific tasks such as sniffing out narcotics, explosives, or trained to assist in enforcement. I think most people associate this kind of job when they think of a military working dog....read more

• 6 Comments

Since my deployment is coming to an end, this will probably be the last of my clinical pictures from Iraq. Once we get things going again back at Ft. Belvoir I'll start them up again. This patient came in complaining of pain coming from his impacted premolar. I uncovered the tooth I was able to elevate it out After the tooth was out. Although we didn't take these out - I thought they were picture worthy. I haven't seen...read more

• Post Comment

Recently one of the Army media production sergeants came and put together a nice video about our dental assitant SPC Munson. Take a look :)

• Post Comment

Have you ever wondered what makes a good care package? Having been on the receiving end of them for almost 6 months - I think I can shed some light on the topic. The first thing is to think about who you are sending it to. If you don't know them (you are just being nice and supporting our troops) there are some great generic things you can send. If you do know them - think about what they would enjoy. Also realize that Soldiers will share their care packages...read more

• 11 Comments

CPT T had a patient come in that had had some tattoos placed in his mouth. On the tongue it said "YUM" He also had his sign "Capricorn" tattooed on his upper lip. And the symbol for it on his bottom lip. This is what happens to a tooth when root length on a root canal is not paid attention to (see the really large hole coming out the tooth). Had a patient come in that had both wisdom teeth and the 2nd molars impacted...read more

• Post Comment

Here are some recent cases that I've had This Soldier had his teeth knocked out following a baseball accident when he was a teenager I hadn't gotten models before he came so that I could use it to make a stent for the temporary crowns. So I took some acrylic temporary crowns and held them in place with rope wax. I got impressions of those to use when I made the temporary crowns for him. The final product This is the right...read more

• Post Comment

Although not like the seasons in the States, I have been surprised with the contrast in seasons here in Iraq. When we first arrived in October the cold season was beginning to set in. Next we had the rainy season, now the spring has come. The weather has now turned very nice again - not too hot in the afternoon, not too cold at nights. Soldiers are beginning to take advantage of the weather. The grass is having to get cut. Catching some rays....read more

• Post Comment

Here are some cases we've had recently. This is one of those cases that I will remember my whole career. You wouldn't expect to find it done here in Iraq. This Soldier had his 6 front teeth trimmed down for crowns 4 years ago at Ft. Stewart. Due to his schedule, several moves, and multiple deployments - 4 years later he still had temporary crowns on all 6 teeth when I met him here. Since temporary crowns aren't meant to be worn that long, there was a...read more

• Post Comment

Have you ever wondered what the living conditions are like while deployed? The truth is it can vary greatly by location, whether you are coming or going, and your rank. Here are some examples. You have your transient housing for people coming and going. You have your CHUs (Containerized Housing Units) that sleep up to 3 Soldiers (depending on rank). Existing housing previously built by the Iraqi's Also some smaller single rooms...read more

• 2 Comments

I've been slacking - I apologize - here are some more cases. Can you pick out what is wrong with this picture? The patient has an extra lateral incisor and it ended up between the 2 central incisors. This is one of the most severe cases of GERD I have ever seen. The acid had worn away the lingual cusps of the premolars all together. He had the most severe erosion on back of the teeth, but even the front were affected. There may also have been...read more

• 4 Comments