Oral and Maxillofacial Injuries in Military Recruits

Information regarding the prevalence of physical injuries sustained by recruits in military training is sparse. Recruits may sustain injuries during the intensive and rigorous military combat-training period at boot camp. The pattern of injuries and prevalence vary from country to country. A 2-year national study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and causes of oral and maxillofacial injuries sustained by recruits at 11 major military training camps in 8 provinces of the country. Files of recruits documenting all injuries occurring at each camp were assessed. This study showed a large number of maxillofacial injuries among other bodily injuries sustained by recruits during the 2-month combat-training period at boot camp. The majority of maxillofacial injuries were nonmilitary in nature. The high prevalence of maxillofacial injuries to other bodily injuries is disconcerting and warrants implementation of modes of prevention.