[Dental health and the combat readiness]

Abstract

Oral diseases are still amongst the most common human ailments in the western world and in Israel. Acute dental illness may cause intense pain, malaise, nutrition impairment, disturbance and loss of operative activities. The article reviews the literature from the last two decades regarding dental classification of military service candidates, incidence of acute dental conditions and emergency treatment needs in military population, and dental preparation programs for military recruits.