Abstract

ROLE OF DENTIST IN BIOTERRORISM: A KILLER FOR MANKIND.

*Dr. Vishal Mehrotra, Dr. Gauri Mishra, Dr. Shashank Gaur, Dr. Kriti Garg, Dr. Rohini Singh, Dr. Priyanka Sharma

Abstract

Bioterrorism is the intentional use of micro-organisms and toxins to produce disease and death in humans, livestock and crops, their attraction in war and for use in terrorist attacks is attributed to various unique features. Biological weapons can be disseminated by aerosol sprays, explosives or food and water contamination. They can strike suddenly without any warning and inflict considerable mortality and morbidity that can continue for a long period, such attacks may create high level of panic, environment contamination and extreme pressures on emergency health services. These attacks are the real dangers staring mankind in the face. This calls for ever preparedness on the part of the health care workers. Dentists are not perceived as much of help in case of any disaster event. Dentists have the clinical skills and medical knowledge that are invaluable assets in a mass casualty event; dentists can be given the opportunity with additional targeted training to become more effective responders to natural disasters and other catastrophic events. Inculcating disaster training in the undergraduate course will better prepare the dentist for any surge event. This article reviews the role dentists can play in disaster response.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Dentists, Biological agents, Bio-weapons.