Home / Health / Dental Woes Plague UK Army Recruits: 173 Rejected in 4 Years
Dental Woes Plague UK Army Recruits: 173 Rejected in 4 Years
24 Aug
Summary
- 173 potential UK Army recruits rejected due to gum disease, tooth decay
- 36,000 troops require treatment for dental issues like cavities, gum disease
- Dental problems incapacitate more troops than combat injuries
According to a recent report, the UK Army has faced a significant challenge in recruiting new soldiers due to dental health issues among potential recruits. Over the past four years, the Ministry of Defence has rejected 173 would-be recruits solely because of gum disease and severe tooth decay.
These dental problems are not limited to new recruits, however. The MoD figures show that around 36,000 active troops currently require treatment for tooth decay and gum disease. This includes 15,000 soldiers classified as "Nato 2" with mild gum issues or cavities, and 11,000 categorized as "Nato 3" with severe gum disease, abscesses, and major tooth decay.
The impact of these dental problems on the military's readiness is significant. Research has found that for every 1,000 troops deployed, between 100 and 150 require urgent dental treatment at some point. In Afghanistan, helicopters had to be dispatched to remote bases to evacuate soldiers for emergency dental care at Camp Bastion.
Experts say that recruits joining the Armed Forces often have more than twice as many dental problems as the general public, partly due to coming from impoverished backgrounds with poor diets. Good oral health is crucial for soldiers, as those with severe tooth issues cannot be deployed in case their condition worsens and they are unable to receive treatment.
