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Keeping the peace with dentistry

British Dental Journal volume 230, pages 429–434 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Peacekeeping and the delivery of humanitarian aid is a vital component in the repertoire of any modern military and the UK has been at the forefront in contributing to these types of operation at an international level. When preparing for an enduring task such as peacekeeping, it is essential to consider all supporting components that can help deliver a common goal. Whether access to healthcare for the local population has collapsed or maintaining a healthy deployed force, dentistry will inevitably need to be considered and appropriate provision secured.

This paper aims to look at the deployed dental support provided to recent peacekeeping interventions by the British Army.

Key points

  • Describes experiences from three different dental officers on deployments to South Sudan, Sierra Leone and Bosnia.

  • Explores the difficulties they faced negotiating conflict zones, extreme weather and disease in an effort to provide clinical excellence to their population.

  • Discusses political, economical and biological factors that initiate humanitarian aid.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Major Royal Army Dental Corps, Senior Dental Officer, Dental Centre Sennelager, Germany

    Andrew Beaven

  2. Major Royal Army Dental Corps, Senior Dental Officer, Dental Centre Camberley, Surrey, UK

    Serena Darke

  3. Colonel (Retired) Late Royal Army Dental Corps, Ministry of Defence Civilian Dental Practitioner, Dental Centre Dhekelia, Cyprus

    Andrew McDonald

Authors
  1. Andrew Beaven
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  2. Serena Darke
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  3. Andrew McDonald
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew Beaven.

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Beaven, A., Darke, S. & McDonald, A. Keeping the peace with dentistry. Br Dent J 230, 429–434 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-2727-3

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