8 Weeks Without Dental Care

The 1973 Skylab space expeditions were the first series of manned flights into earth

orbit and during this time astronauts made use of different modern dental equipment while in space. It was important for the people at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA during the Skylab trials to incorporate dental care in the overall design of their newly developed IMSS or in flight medical support system. For each of the three Skylab missions that made use of adequate dental equipment a flight crew of three astronauts traveled in space for a duration of 4 to 8 weeks at a time.

There was one military dentist who commented that the philosophy behind the dental equipment was to give medical attention to any ailments that could be treated on an outpatient basis. The equipment cannot and should not in any way be treated as if they were buddy kits or do it yourself kits. The military dentist also argues that any concept for medical care at that time were based on findings that yielded results of a possible one percent risk for dental problems to occur during the mission lasting for 28 days. Ineffectiveness on the job due to serious dental problems like pulpitis or periodontal abscess is the main concern when it comes to the risk for possible dental mishaps while in space.

With a five percent risk rating it is more likely for astronauts to experience minor dental problems like chipped teeth. Some of the tools included in the dental equipment for the IMSS as this article will talk about are syringes and anesthetic, a Gigli saw, removal forceps, and selvage gauze. This restorative material was specially developed by the Air Force den corps to meet certain in-flight specifications. Handling or mixing the material can be accomplished in zero gravity.

Knowing how to use the equipment is as important as the equipment being able to pass the testing process of NASA so other than a series of rigorous testing they also conducted intensive training programs for the flight crews. Outpatient based procedures were discussed in the training programs giving crews the knowhow for dental problems that are as serious as or less serious than tooth removal. Illustrations of the oral cavity from personal radiographs, diagnosis information, as well as procedural guidelines will be integrated into a dental manual that will be placed on the space vehicle.

For other dental needs the astronauts can rely on the dentist in mission control as he is always ready with oral casts, complete radiographs, and even a record of all space project related dental treatment as far as the sixties. It is not feasible to limit space to ground conversations for plenty of reasons including the need for the approval of a ground control dentist before any dental procedure can be executed in space.

Not everyone who is concerned about this program supports training astronauts to perform dental procedures on themselves while in space as legitimate dentists still prove to be the wiser option. Even if one of the crew members experiences much pain they may not be given much sympathy for their agonizing ordeal when a space mission is threatened especially when the people lose millions in the process. As a precaution other options should first be exhausted before any dental procedures will be allowed during space missions.

by: phillip

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