Introduction
The February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey caused catastrophic damage to health infrastructure, leaving millions without access to basic care. Dental emergencies, including trauma and infections, quickly became a secondary crisis. A Dental Core Solution Company activated a pre-prepared disaster response protocol to deploy emergency dental clinics to the most affected areas within 72 hours.
Challenges
The operating environment was extreme. There was complete infrastructure collapse—no electricity, running water, or functional buildings. The scale of need was overwhelming, with a mix of acute dental trauma from the disaster and chronic problems that became emergencies due to stress and lack of medications. Coordination with the wider emergency response was critical to avoid diverting essential resources.
Solution: Rapid Deployment Dental Unit (RDDU)
The RDDU was a self-contained, mobile clinic designed for disaster zones.
- Rapid Deployment Equipment: The core was a portable, lightweight dental kit focused on emergencies: extraction forceps, elevators, and basic restorative materials. It was paired with a portable dental chair that could be set up on any flat surface.
- Independent Power and Water: The unit included a compact, silent generator and a water filtration system that could produce sterile water from any source, ensuring complete operational independence.
- Infection Control in Austere Settings: Instead of relying on running water, the kit emphasized alcohol-based hand rubs and surface disinfectants. Instruments were sterilized in dedicated pressure cookers, a proven and reliable field method.
Implementation Process
The response was swift and coordinated. The company’s pre-positioned emergency stock was mobilized immediately. The deployment team linked with national and international disaster agencies on the ground to identify locations with the greatest need and to ensure security. Teams of volunteer dentists were flown in, each undergoing a brief but intensive orientation on the specific protocols for working in a disaster zone, focusing on triage, palliative care, and psychological first aid. The first RDDUs were operational in a heavily affected neighborhood of Gaziantep within 72 hours of the earthquake.
Results and Impact
The rapid response system provided critical dental care to over 1,200 patients in the first two weeks. The teams performed over 800 emergency extractions, managed dozens of cases of dental trauma, and provided antibiotics for severe infections, preventing more serious systemic complications. By handling these cases on-site, the system alleviated pressure on overwhelmed field hospitals. The presence of the dental service also provided a profound psychological boost, offering a semblance of normalcy and dedicated care to survivors in dire conditions.
Conclusion
The Turkish earthquake response proved that dental care is an essential, not optional, component of humanitarian disaster relief. Painful dental conditions exacerbate suffering in an already catastrophic situation. The ability to deploy rapidly with self-sufficient, focused equipment and trained personnel can significantly reduce suffering and prevent minor dental issues from becoming major health crises in the chaotic aftermath of a disaster.