This year alone, 67 new prosthesis of artificial eyes, nose, ears, and skull bones, were given to soldiers at this Centre, the only one of its kind in India
In an unfortunate accident, where a high explosive bomb blasted prematurely during a field firing exercise its splinter went directly into the eye socket of Colonel (Rtd) Yashpal Jagia leaving him blind in the left eye way back in 1983. But now after 34 years, Col Jagia finally received an eye prosthesis at the Army Dental Centre in Delhi, known to carry out such processes.
"The Armed Forces did not have customised eye prosthesis back then and the ones that were there did not match either the colour/size or shape of the other half of the organ," said Col. Jagia. "I am glad that my left eye looks as good as the other eye now," he added.
Col Jagia is not the only one. This year alone, 67 new prosthesis which includes new artificial eyes, nose, ears and even skull bones were given to soldiers at this Centre.
A total 265 Maxillofacial Prosthesis, rehabilitation of patients with defects or disabilities developed due to trauma or present by birth, have been performed in the last five years in the Prosthodontics Department of the Dental Centre. Out of total 50 Prosthodontists in the Military Services, the five specialists are at the Delhi Centre alone.
"The cases we receive, directly from the conflict areas, are challenging where lives have been compromised. Prosthodontists work with various other departments from ENT, Psych, Plastics, to improve the quality of lives of our soldiers," said Lt Col (Dr) Viswambaran Mandamparambil, Head of Department, Prosthodontics.
"As a doctor, it moves me when these smart, young officers suddenly become handicapped," he added.
Artificial materials like Silicone, Acrylics, and Metals like Cobalt-Chromium are being used to provide the Prosthetic rehabilitation. The Centre has been receiving tertiary cases from all across the country, as no other Dental Centre provides this kind of prosthetics elsewhere. For instance, AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College), Pune, does not make prosthetic eyes and ears at their Centre; and they along with the AFIDS (Airforce Institute of Dental Sciences) and CMDC (Command Military Dental Centres) all refer their cases here.
"Apart from the improved quality of life, we are also always working on giving a better experience. We are now working on digitalising the complete procedure and will be the first ones to do so. We will be using 3D scanning and printers for this process," says Brigadier (Dr) Subrata Roy, Commandant, Army Dental Centre (Research and Referral).
265 PARTS IN 5 YRS
- A total 265 Maxillofacial Prosthesis, rehabilitation of patients with defects or disabilities developed due to trauma or present by birth, have been performed in the last five years in the Prosthodontics Department of the Dental Centre
- Out of total 50 Prosthodontists in the Military Services, the five specialists are currently at this Delhi facility alone
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