Roles of Dental Care in Disaster Medicine in Japan
Published: 25 June Current Oral Health Reports ( 2022) details Abstract Purpose of Review Natural disasters occur frequently in Japan. A disaster medical system was rapidly developed in Japan following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. Dentistry has become increasingly important in disaster medicine. This review summarizes the roles of dental professionals in disaster medicine, highlights relevant issues, and identifies new directions for research to improve disaster relief activities based on our previous experiences as dental professionals supporting the victims of major disasters. Recent Findings Many preventable deaths after a disaster are caused by aspiration pneumonia, which occurs against a background of factors that are compounded by a harsh living environment. An important aim of dental care in disaster medicine is to prevent these disaster-related deaths in vulnerable persons such as the elderly. This can be achieved through interventions to maintain oral hygi
