Longitudinal Analysis of Dental Emergencies in Overseas Contingency Operations Paul Colthirst LTC DDS MS1, Georgia Rogers COL DMD MPH2 , Barbara Wojcik PhD3, Rebecca Humphrey MA3, Brandon Hosek MA3, Catherine Stein MS3, Cristy Landt MS3, Philip DeNicolo COL DMD MS4 1Tri-Service Center for Oral Health Studies, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 2Consultant to the Surgeon General for Dental Public Health, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 3Center for AMEDD Strategic Studies, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 4Dental and Trauma Research Detachment, Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, TX Background: Dental readiness is a key component to ensuring a healthy and fit-to-fight military force. Prior to deployment, a U.S. Army Soldier is required to obtain a dental readiness classification which indicates that the Soldier has a current dental examination and either 1) does not require dental treatment or re-evaluation or 2) requires non-urgent dental treatment or re-evaluation, which is unlikely to result in a dental emergency (DE) within 12 months. However, in spite of the dental readiness requirement, dental emergencies do occur during deployment. Dental emergency care provided in Army dental clinics in recent campaigns is an important contributor to the comprehensive care system in theater. Objective: The objective of this retrospective study is to provide longitudinal profiles of dental emergencies in recent campaigns based on DE data collected in Army dental clinics in theater. Longitudinal profiles of DE incidences among all three components that comprise the U.S. Army (Army active duty, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve) may be used as a data-driven support tool for military planners to make informed decisions regarding dental care in deployed settings. Methods: This study included Soldiers who had at least one emergency dental encounter during their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan between April 23, 2009 and June 30, 2013. Dental emergency data extracted from the Corporate Dental Ap, Dental emergency care provided in Army dental clinics in recent campaigns is an important contributor to the comprehensive health care system in theater. Dental data collected in theater as a part of the Dental Emergency Encounter Entry module is a separate feature within the Corporate Dental Application (CDA). This data describes each dental emergency encounter in theater based on 78 diagnoses. These diagnoses are classified into three severity categories: low, moderate, and high. Previous studies concentrated on overall DE incidence rates and risk factors. It was found, that National Guard and Reservists demonstrated higher DE incidence rates than the Army active duty Soldiers. The primary objective of this retrospective study is to provide longitudinal profiles of dental emergencies (DE) in recent campaigns (Iraq and Afghanistan) based on DE data collected in Army clinics. Dental emergency data extracted from the CDA was processed and analyzed by the Center for AMEDD Strategic Studies. This study presents results of DE time-dependent analysis, defined as the time between deployment and the first dental emergency encounter. We compare longitudinal profiles of DE incidences among all three components, and we take into account severity of each DE (low, moderate, or high). The statistical association between the time to first encounter and severity of this encounter will be examined. In addition, the statistical analysis of means for each component related DE incidence rates will be discussed. This analysis will allow Army leaders to identify periods of time when DE rates are significantly higher than the average incidence rate during the analyzed period of time. The above analyses may be used as a data-driven supportive tool for military planners to make informative decisions regarding dental care in deployed settings.