Survival on the Frontlines: How Dental Care is Becoming a Crucial Factor for Ukrainian Soldiers

Oneindia

On the frontlines in Ukraine simply staying alive is the daily goal of most soldiers. So in the midst of falling bombs and flying bullets, routine care can fall by the wayside. But for some soldiers dental care can make a difference on the battlefield    #OIDW #DWVideos #UkraineFrontlines #SoldierSurvival #DentalCareMatters #BattlefieldHealth #FrontlineCare #MilitaryWellness #DentalImpact #CombatCare #UkraineWar #SoldierHealth #DentalHygiene #MilitaryMedicine #BattlefieldHygiene #UkraineDefense #HealthOnTheFrontlines #CombatReadiness

Transcript

00:00Braving the bombs, Ukraine's so-called dental battalion.

00:06Once a month, these men make the long trip from Kiev to frontline cities in a van they've

00:11converted into a mobile dental clinic.

00:16Soldiers get medical care when they are injured, but regular dental check-ups are rare.

00:22Vlad and his assistant Semen have brought everything they need.

00:28They provide vital service, getting a toothache at the front can mean the difference between

00:33life and death.

00:36When we first started travelling, many military personnel were very pleased with our work,

00:40that we were alleviating acute pain and helping them resolve their dental problems.

00:45They say that when it hurts, you think about it all the time and you can't concentrate

00:49on your work.

00:52The next morning, they receive their first patients.

00:56Even though they are trained to use deadly weapons, the soldiers are still nervous about

01:01the dentist's drill.

01:06This soldier hasn't been to the dentist in the two years since the war began.

01:11A few days ago, the pain started and it's now unbearable.

01:15He's going to need root surgery.

01:19We are on the front line and sometimes we don't even have time to brush our teeth.

01:25And when you have a tooth that hurts, you can't focus on your target or combat mission.

01:30Let's say you are distracted from your combat mission.

01:38The service goes beyond dental care.

01:40The soldiers say it's nice to be treated as a human being with normal needs.

01:48Getting to a place where you can actually get anesthesia and have your teeth properly

01:52treated is really great.

01:56We don't have access to anesthesia and painkillers.

02:04The end of a long day.

02:06As the war with Russia drags on, more and more mobile services are needed.

02:12Charitable conditions make them possible and Vlad and his team volunteer their time.

02:19He knows he could soon be called up to fight too.

02:23But until then, Vlad sees this as his contribution.

02:29I want to do something for victory, to help the military somehow.

02:33I believe that everyone should do what they're good at.

02:37I am good at treating teeth.

02:39I am good at dentistry.

02:43So that's how I help the military and address their problems.

02:52Vlad and his team will be on the road for five days.

02:55They leave this military base and head for the next frontline city, where a different

03:01unit is already waiting for them.

03:09For more UN videos visit www.un.org

Category

Transcript

Recommended