McConnell Dental clinic extends helping hand for Iraqi partner

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Bernal Del Agua
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The dental clinic here extended a helping hand to a foreign national during an emergency dental procedure carried out mid-January at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.

Hasanain Abdulameer, an Iraqi national, is attending an aircraft training class under a Department of Defense-sponsored program and requested help from 22nd Medical Group because the pain prevented him from focusing on the training.

"He came in, and we provided emergency care for the tooth to clean out an infection," said Capt. Dwayne Gentry, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron general dentist. "We did a pulpectomy. I cleaned the inside of the root canal and the dead tissue so that there is no longer a source of infection in the tooth."

Abdulameer came back a month later for a post-emergency check-up. During the check-up, Gentry examined the tooth to make sure there was no infection or swelling.

"I'm glad we could help out our Iraqi friends because they do a lot for the United States and their country," said Gentry. "This particular individual has been an interpreter for several years and has sacrificed a lot. I'm glad we could help in return."

McConnell's medical Airmen's mission is to provide the best comprehensive dental care for eligible members and helping the student was par for the course.

"I'm happy we could help this individual with his dental problem, thus enabling him to complete his training so he can further help his nation when he returns," said Lt. Col. Janice Allison, 22nd AMDS chief of dental services. "Here at McConnell, we try to help any military or DOD-sponsored personnel to the fullest degree authorized. As healthcare professionals, we cherish the opportunity to help others when they are in need."