Dentist chosen for more study

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 422, 4 February 1992, Page 8

Dentist chosen for more study

BY JO HOWIE Major Hugh Trengrove, one of Waiouru's dentist's is about to take two year's sabbatical leave. He starts his masters degree in restorative dentistry early February. This qualification will enable Major Trengrove to administer specialist treatment to soldiers for crowns, bridges, dentures and general restoration. The director of dental services, Colonel John Gilhooly, said Defence dentists must provide a range of skills in peace time and on operational service. He said post graduate courses are shared among the Defence dentists to ensure adequate coverage of specialist training in the services. "Up until 1979 study leave was a condition of service which was a special dental engagemcnt where dentists employed by Defence had 18 months post graduate work after three years service. Now it's called clinical leave and is granted on an individual basis depending on the requirement of service. Major Trengrove said he looks forward to a stimulating two years and the opportunity to learn special skills in general dentistry. He is also looking forward to a break from military life. Major Trengrove said there is no financial gain in completing this course. He hopes to have a full career in the military, and his long tcrm aim is to teach at University. "Army personnel in general undcr-estimate the importancc of dental fitness. Poor tceth interfere with an individual's ability to work, which in turn affects the team." Major Trengrove said this was evident during

his operational service in the Gulf War. He worked in Bahrein at the Royal Air Force War Hospital. "Stress caused what would normally be a minor problem to become a major problem." While in Bahrein he said he saw a lot of normal routine dental problems, and treated over 300 patients in one month. Major Trengrove said he felt well prepared because he had had experience in field environment. He said however that he felt unprepared for his additional role as a member of the resuscitation team which was to provide primary life-saving care for casualties. He did not have to treat combat casualties, but it made him aware of skills a New Zealand Defence dentist should learn. After the cease-fire Major Trengrove was involved in forensic identifications of war dead. Initially British and American bodies were separated, and dental records were used for identification. "This was a sobering experience. It wasn't something I enjoyed, but professionally it was vcry rewarding. It showed the real effects of what war was all about."