Anzac Day, 25 April, 2018

Anzac Day 2018

15 March 2018

On Anzac day, we remember all those who served during wars or armed conflicts.

Dentists were not part of the Armed Forces at the beginning of World War 1. The Australian Forces experienced a considerable number of front line evacuations due to dental problems. Most commonly a condition called trench mouth (named after the trenches of World War 1) caused pain, and an inability to eat. With relatively simple dental treatment these troops could be returned to the front line.

As the war progressed dentistry became part of the war effort. From 1915 Dentists began to be enlisted as dentists rather than as soldiers. Australia Forces adopted the principle “If you can’t bite, you can’t fight.”

The British army was much slower to see the need for dentists. It was thought that the British regarded the lifespan of a soldier too short to need dental care. Australian dentists earned the nickname Fang Farriers which still persists today.

Prior to 1943 Dentists were part of the Medical Corps. In April 1943, The Royal Australia Army Dental Corps formed.

Dentists have been part of most wars. In recent years all troops are made dentally fit prior to being posted. Dentists mainly perform emergency. In recent years a noticeable difference is that the private section is making dentally fit.

History of Dentistry in the Armed Forces has been recorded in Fang Farriers - Australian Army Dentistry in War and Peace by Lieutenant Colonel Klusk, Sven RFD.