NEWS RELEASE International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan
Committed to the security, reconstruction and extension of governance in Afghanistan

2008-570

ISAF, U.S. Public Health Service unite to provide dental training to Afghan professionals

KABUL, Afghanistan (October 29) - In Afghanistan, the average daily income is less than one U.S. dollar a day. In the remote southern province of Qalat, it's even less. This is a region where money, more often than not, goes directly toward the necessities of life. So when the decision to pay for any type of preventative medical care is weighed against the immediate demands for survival; survival wins. 

To help remedy this situation, the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team united with the United States Public Health Service to offer an emergency dental care certification course to Afghan dental professionals from the province.

Officials launched the five-week emergency dental care course to enhance the skills of five dental professionals. It provided them with the ability to establish free field clinics, complete with infection control standards in place and offer emergency extractions and routine cleanings.

Under an agreement with these organizations, the course graduates will continue to provide free dental care to Afghan citizens in another effort to enhance the quality of life for the people of Afghanistan.

(Qalat, Afghanistan)--Staff Sgt. Nestor Albalos uses a dental tool to extract an Afghan man's tooth during a Village Dental Outreach visit in Shajoy. The visit was hosted by the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team. Sergeant Albalos, PRT combat medic, assisted with the removal of teeth and sanitized tools during the visit. (ISAF photo)

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Issued by Headquarters ISAF Public Affairs Office ◦ E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone] ◦ Mobile: [phone] ◦ Website: www.nato.int/isaf

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