Integration of Hospital Dentistry in the Interdisciplinary Care of the Armed Forces: Perspectives and Practices

Context: This study aims to investigate the implementation and effectiveness of hospital dentistry (HD) in the Armed Forces, incorporating an integrative literature review and a detailed case report. It seeks to highlight the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to oral and systemic health in military patients, as well as identify significant gaps in current research that need to be addressed to achieve improved healthcare outcomes. Evidence Acquisition: An integrative review methodology was adopted, with articles selected through the PubMed/MEDLINE and Scielo databases using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria focused on the practice of HD in military settings. This approach ensured a comprehensive understanding of the existing literature. Simultaneously, a case report of an elderly patient treated within the military context was presented, detailing the diagnosis, intervention, and outcomes of HD, thus providing a practical example of the concepts discussed in the review. Results: The literature review revealed a scarcity of specific studies on HD in military settings, despite evidence highlighting the crucial role of an interdisciplinary team, including dentists, for the effective treatment of oral conditions affecting the overall health of patients. This lack of research underscores the need for further studies to address these gaps. The case report demonstrated the positive impact of HD on the patient s recovery, emphasizing the critical need for its integration into military healthcare to achieve improved patient outcomes. Conclusions: The integration of HD in military settings is essential but currently underutilized. The research emphasizes the need to develop and document HD practices that enhance both the oral and systemic health of military personnel, promoting a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary care approach. This integration can lead to better health outcomes, reduced hospital stays, and overall improved quality of life for military patients.