When the Skylab space expeditions started during the seventies the time did not only mark the first of a series of manned space travels into earth orbit but space travel which made use of modern dental equipment. When it comes to having the means for dental care especially during the Skylab travels of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA the military dentists are to thank for their efforts that improved the in flight medical support system or IMSS for astronauts. The dental equipment on board the three Skylab flights managed to assist the three man crews who were sent into space for periods lasting from 28 to 56 days at a time.
Commenting on the reason for the dental equipment on of the military dentists said that they wanted outpatient based services to be available for the astronauts. All expeditions made use of modern equipment that in no way compared with any first aid buddy kit. All ideas regarding the treatment concepts applied during the Skylab flights were founded on the one percent risk that dental attention might be required during the 28 days spent by the three man crews in space. The onset of pulpitis or periodontal abscess can lead to the inefficiency of one astronaut and these are examples of the dental problems which carry a one percent risk.
There is also a separate risk rating of five percent given to less serious mishaps like a fractured restoration. The dental equipment for the IMSS includes tooth removal forceps, elevator, local anesthetic with syringe, periodontal curette, restorative material applicator, file, battery powered light source with mirror, selvage gauze, Gigli saw, and temporary restorative material. This restorative material was specially developed by the Air Force den corps to meet certain in-flight specifications. The formulation allowed it to be mixed even with zero gravity.
After much success from the equipment testing process the flight crews were subjected to two days of intensive training for them to have the ability to use the equipment after the launch. No program attempted to train the flight crews regarding dental procedures which come to be more complicated than removing teeth making the sessions a tad limited. Aboard the space craft will be an integrated manual containing pertinent information on diagnosis and illustrated procedural guides not to mention an oral structure image for each crew member sourced from their personal radiographs.
Compiled narrative summaries of space flight dental treatments done since 1966, personal dental records and oral casts for each flight crew member, and personal radiograph images are some of the materials carried by a mission control dentist. It is not feasible to limit space to ground conversations for plenty of reasons including the need for the approval of a ground control dentist before any dental procedure can be executed in space.
Even with all the precautionary tactics taken by NASA there are still a number of people who are having doubts when it comes to the idea of non dentists doing dental procedures. When something can lead to the downfall of a space mission then there should definitely be much consideration especially when the excruciating dental pain experienced by a crew member causes him to jeopardize everything resulting to millions in financial losses. Considering every aspect with regard to dental procedures in space these will only serve as a last resort for the astronauts.
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