n the summer of 2016 , I had seen the news about refugees and sent over some tents and cash and thought little more . Then BBC 2 broadcast “ Exodus ”, a documentary series over a week documenting several refugees ’ stories and I remembered Dentaid ’ s advert asking for dentists to go to Greece for eight days in September .

After a large amount of paperwork , checking of certificates , CRB , etc , registering with the Greek authorities and interviews with Health Point Foundation , who were the NGO authorised to go into camps , September quickly arrived .

Although I have done a lot of charity work abroad I was somewhat apprehensive as the news out of the camps was not good and as a menopausal woman with a dodgy ankle , I wondered how useful I would be working in a tent in 45 degree heat in very basic conditions . The reality of life in the camps is a shock even to someone used to third world countries .

Clinic in tailors shop in Swindon Karamelinos

REFUGEE CAMP ORGANISATION The Greek military run the camps and , although the refugees are allowed in and out , entrance to anyone else is very strictly controlled . Indeed , on our last day we were not allowed into a camp because we were missing a piece of paper , an e mail from the Greek health ministry wasn ’ t good enough . Fortunately , a disused warehouse over the road was available , although no toilet facilities meant al fresco wee stops .

By and large , refugees are living on disused airfields , factories etc in the middle of nowhere . We navigated to each camp with Google maps with co-ordinates given each day because they are so remote . Refugees live in tents , cheek by jowl , with basic or no sanitation , no cooking facilities , no education facilities , often no outside space to speak of and very rudimentary health care provided by NGOs .

RUDIMENTARY DENTAL TREATMENT The dental care we provided was basic extractions , often multiple , and occasional simple fillings courtesy of an ancient portable drill kit and , in one camp , two dental chairs sited inside a container . However , there was no running water in most of the places we visited ( 8 different camps ).

Dental disease is rife because the food bussed in is often of poor quality and is sugar laden . Unfortunately , volunteers often misguidedly distribute sweets and chocolate to the children and decent washing facilities are often absent . In addition , many of the refugees have been travelling for months , often by foot , with little opportunity to carry out the most basic of hygiene measures .

The tragedy is that often , particularly amongst the Syrians , the refugees have

had excellent quality dental treatment in the past , with great crowns and bridges , a legacy of the peaceful , secure , prosperous life they used to lead . It is hardly surprising that many refuse extractions that would get them out of pain , believing they will soon be in Germany and will then have more than the basic emergency treatment we can offer !

WHAT CHANCE OF HOPE ? The reality is it will be years before many are out of the camps . The initial registration for asylum is taking months and decisions will not be made for a long time yet . As it is illegal to carry refugees in cars or taxis in Greece and as camps are often remote the logistics of getting to the City for your asylum appointment will mean a

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Dental Practice Magazine

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