RT Journal Article
T1 Dental health as a determinant of operational readiness in military populations: Evidence from Ceuta (Spain)
A1 Bel Blesa, Alejandro
A1 Hernández Donadeu, Marta
A1 Flores Fraile, Javier
A1 Gómez Salgado, Juan
A1 El Khoury Moreno, Luis
A1 Torrejón Martínez, Julio
A1 Rosel Gallardo, Eva
A1 Ribas Pérez, David
A1 Castaño Seiquer, Antonio
AB The Spanish Armed Forces require optimal oral health to ensure operability during international missions. In a cross-sectional study with a sample of 691 military personnel, 17.66% were classified as temporarily unfit (NAT), predominantly among enlisted ranks (21.7%). Employment status and smoking showed significant associations with NAT (P < .000), while gender, age, and alcohol consumption were not significant factors. The decayed, missing filled teeth index, particularly its decayed component, was strongly related to NAT (P = .000). Periodontal disease presence and the need for multiple dental treatments significantly increased NAT prevalence (P < .000). Use of dental floss correlated with higher fitness, whereas mouthwash use was associated with increased NAT (P < .05). These findings highlight the importance of prevention and risk factor control to maintain oral fitness and ensure military personnel effectiveness during deployments.
PB Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
SN 0025-7974
SN 1536-5964 (electrónico)
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27711
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27711
LA eng
NO Bel-Blesa, A., Hernández-Donadeu, M., Flores-Fraile, J., Gómez-Salgado, J., El Khoury-Moreno, L., Torrejón-Martínez, J., Rosel-Gallardo, E., Ribas-Pérez, D., & Castaño-Séiquer, A. (2025). Dental health as a determinant of operational readiness in military populations: Evidence from Ceuta (Spain). Medicine, 104(50), e46380. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000046380
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 14 jul 2026