MEDFLAG 10: Providing dental treatment to Kinshasa residents

September 20, 2010

By Sgt. James D. Sims, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story Highlights

  • U.S. military and Congolese counterparts deliver dental services to residents of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • MEDFLAG 10: providing dental services to the people of Kinshasa
  • Military exchange brings military dental treatment skills to aid of Congolese people
  • MEDFLAG 10: dental services for Congolese and American residents of Kinshasa
  • The son of an embassy worker in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, shows Air Force Lt. Col. Jacqueline Garcia-Castellanos of Miami that he knows how to floss his teeth Sept. 12. Garcia-Castellanos a reservist with the 482nd Aeromedical Dental Squadron, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., is in the DRC as part of MEDFLAG 10, a joint training exercise with the U.S. and FARDC militaries focusing on humanitarian and civil assistance. U

    MEDFLAG 10: Air Force dentists provide treatment to Kinshasa residents

    The son of an embassy worker in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, shows Air Force Lt. Col. Jacqueline Garcia-Castellanos of Miami that he knows how to floss his teeth Sept. 12. Garcia-Castellanos a reservist with the 482nd Aeromedical Dental...

  • Air Force Lt. Col. Jacqueline Garcia-Castellanos of Miama, a reservist with the 482nd Aeromedical Dental Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla, works side by side with a Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo dentist Sept. 14 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Castellanos is a part of MEDFLAG 10, a joint medical exercise aimed at providing humanitarian assistance to the local people.

    MEDFLAG 10: Dental care in Kinshasa

    Air Force Lt. Col. Jacqueline Garcia-Castellanos of Miama, a reservist with the 482nd Aeromedical Dental Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla, works side by side with a Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo dentist Sept. 14 in...

  • Air Force Capt. Vincent Chippone of Sacremento, Calif., and an Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) dentist, prepare a patient for dental treatment Sept. 11 in Kinshasa. Chippone, a reservist with the 940th Aeromedical Dental Flight, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., is in the DRC as part of MEDFLAG 10, a joint training exercise with the U.S. and FARDC militaries focusing on humanitarian and civil assistance.

    MEDFLAG 10: Delivering dental care in Kinshasa

    Air Force Capt. Vincent Chippone of Sacremento, Calif., and an Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) dentist, prepare a patient for dental treatment Sept. 11 in Kinshasa. Chippone, a reservist with the 940th Aeromedical Dental...

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo Aca,!" Taking a vacation or going home for the holidays brings to mind a picture of having fun and spending time with family.

However, for family members of embassy staff, a trip back to Europe or the United States means finally having the opportunity to visit the dentist Aca,!" at least until this week.

Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs been about two years that IAca,!a,,cve been trying to get to the dentist,Aca,!A? said Kathryn Anne Crowder, a family member of an embassy worker in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Aca,!A"So this is a much needed visit.Aca,!A?

Crowder was one of about 35 patients seen by three Air Force Reserve dentists visiting the DRoC as part of MEDFLAG 10, an annual joint medical training exercise that allows U.S. military service members to work side by side with their African counterparts. In addition to training, the joint forces also provide humanitarian and civic assistance to local residents.

Aca,!A"Working with the local population has given us the feeling we are reaching those that really need it,Aca,!A? said Lt. Col. Jacqueline Garcia-Castellanos of Miami, a member of the 482nd Aeromedical Dental Squadron, based at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.

Both American and Congolese dental professionals spent several days in classroom training reviewing the necessity of basic oral hygiene and preventive care before providing assistance to Kinshasa residents.

Medical and dental staff will assess roughly 2,000 cases and provide the necessary care to Congolese citizens during a four-day period of the exercise.

Aca,!A"The experience has been quite enlightening,Aca,!A? said Garcia-Castellanos. Aca,!A"It has given us the opportunity to engage in active dental care side by side with the Congolese army dental corps, and the exchange has been excellent.Aca,!A?

Page last updated Mon September 20th, 2010 at 08:09