Eglin Airman takes care of teeth in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Martie Moore
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq --  Few things compare with the pain of a toothache. It hurts to eat; the hot and cold sensations shoot through your teeth and any relief is temporary. The only thing worse is the fact you have to go to the dentist to make it better.

"People do come in and say they hate us," said Staff Sgt. Tamika Ortiz, 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron dental technician deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. "But we're nice."

The Air Force dental industry covers five areas: general dentistry, endodontic, periodontal, orthodontic, and oral surgery. At Kirkuk the Air Force dental team of Sergeant Ortiz, Dr. (Lt. Col.) Val Hagans and Army Specialist Laketa Bryant, 501st Brigade Support Battalion dental technician, can take care of about anything that comes their way with the exception of orthodontics or serious medical issues which may need a dental specialty.

"We don't do orthodontics here, but if someone has braces and needs a wire cut or something we can do that for them," said Sergeant Ortiz. "We've had to send two cases to Balad for specialty care, but other than that we do just about everything."

Even though military members are medically cleared prior to deploying, dental issues still arise. In addition to servicemembers, the dental staff here cares for DOD civilians, state department employees, contractors and on occasion even the enemy.

"We did take care of a couple of the bad guys, and they were very grateful for the care they received," said Dr. Hagans.

"We don't see many Air Force members in here except for fractures or lost fillings. Back home our dental readiness is so in tune with deployments we make sure the people are ready to go," said Sergeant Ortiz.

Currently, the Air Force clinic is filling in for the Army dentist while he is on leave so business has stepped up. Which brings an added sense of satisfaction to their job, knowing the Soldiers going outside the wire can focus on what they do best rather than on suffering with a toothache.

"It's hard to be on target with a toothache; your concentration level is not what it needs to be," said Dr. Hagans.

Although the dental clinic has all the equipment and most of the supplies equivalent with a Stateside clinic, the deployed location adds a new dimension to their services.

"It's nice being somewhere where they need you and respect you. The warriors are on the front line with the weapons but that's not our skill -- we heal. But we are a team and contribute in our own way," said Dr. Hagans.

Even though the men and women here carry weapons and have a hardened edge brought on by their responsibilities outside the wire, they can still be afraid of the dentist.

"We get people laughing and give them some TLC," said Dr. Hagans. "It's not a threatening environment here."

If patients are really nervous, they are given muscle relaxers to calm them down, and the team uses a good amount of local anesthetic to numb their pain.

This may be a deployed location, but it doesn't mean people will get second-rate care. At the dental clinic it's all about the quality care of the patient.

"We put them at ease. We are professionals and we know what we are doing," added Sergeant Ortiz.