Dentists 'fill-in' triage spots during ORE

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members from the 35th Dental Squadron left their duty station Oct. 4 after a normal duty day of teeth cleaning and cavity filling. Upon returning to work after what seemed like a normal weekend break, some members found themselves checking for pulses as disaster struck.

While the change of scenery is not an everyday occurrence, it's what U.S. Air Force Capt. Nikki Machko and Capt. Allen Chan, 35th Dental Squadron dentists, experienced during an Operational Readiness Exercise here, Oct. 7 as part of a disaster triage team.

"Disaster team triage members are the first people at a disaster scene to examine injured personnel to determine if casualties need immediate, minor or delayed treatment," said Chan. "Only certain people can be part of the disaster team triage such as doctors, dentists and optometrists because they have the medical qualifications to perform the duties of a triage physician."

Normally, a dentist would see an average of eight patients a day but since dentists are not caring for normal patients during an exercise, they get a chance to test their ability to respond to disasters in a simulated contingency environment. Instead of seeing 8 patients a day, the team can simulate treating up to 80 casualties depending on the situation.

"It's important that we train for major disasters," said Machko. "We need to know what to do and how to do it right when the time comes, and the ORE helps us build on those skills."

After an incident occurs, triage physicians respond to patients who are brought in by ambulance. Each patient receives a triage care card with information about the injuries so they can be treated properly. This can be especially difficult to deal with if the base was chemically attacked, as members must ensure the medical group does not get contaminated.

"We work hard to control patient flow and keep contaminated gear, vehicles and patients away from the non-contaminated," said Machko. "This involves redirecting incoming patients through the decontamination area we have set up."

With all the temporary changes happening during an exercise, members must adapt to the ORE tempo and requirements posthaste.

"Previously I didn't have many opportunities to don MOPP(mission oriented protective posture) gear," said Chan. "Now I get the chance to practice my job while covered in protective gear and a gas mask instead of simulating it. I definitely feel more prepared after a training exercise."