Page 25 - RADC Bulletin 2022

EXERCISE ASKARI SERPENT LCpl McNally
4 Medical Regiment deployed to Kenya
on Exercise ASKARI SERPENT. As a
dental team of two dental nurses and one dentist, we were attached to the Medical Reception Station within the squadron. The trip consisted of three main phases: the exercise and planning phase, community engagement and adventurous training.
The exercise phase proved challenging from the off, with very sandy conditions putting the equipment at risk. However, we managed to set up the two dental tents as planned ensuring good admin throughout to keep everything clean and serviceable. The MRS saw various primary healthcare patients and managed two mass casualty situations, whilst we saw referrals from
the MRS team for patients presenting
with problems such as infection and tooth decay. The soaring temperatures in Archer’s Post were difficult, as the equipment is not normally utilised in such conditions, and so more frequent checking than normal was required. Overall, we had a useful week, working with the other HCPs and medics, learning from each other and bonding well as a team.
If we thought the exercise phase was problematic, we then moved into the community engagement stage and were faced with the previous week’s challenges - but amplified. Here we were seeing the Kenyan public, not just other members of our squadron role playing, as on exercise.
Some of the patients had travelled for miles on foot for treatment. Over the week we
set up in four different, remote locations, but were never short of work. The medics were keen to observe extractions, and
to ask dental related questions, learning more about our unique section of the
MRS. We were able to provide analgesia and antibiotics where required and gave advice about further action for the patients to take. It was clear that even the most minimal treatment alongside this advice was appreciated here. As a team, we felt that we did all we could to provide aid, but it was certainly an eye-opening experience for us.
After all of this hard work we were ready to move on to the adventurous training. For me, that was a multi-activity package over three days. Aside from the tumble off the
mountain bike (which led to me being towed by one of the instructors!), I really enjoyed the activities. I also took part in archery, abseiling and climbing and was thrown out of my comfort zone having to jump off a ledge into water numerous times. One of the other groups did a six-day trek up Mount Kenya, which they thoroughly enjoyed, however they failed to get the extra day off work that we did to lie by a pool at one of the many lodges near to BATUK! It was great to be able to let our hair down after a very busy few weeks.
Despite numerous logistical and planning issues, everything eventually came together and lots of lessons were learned. It was certainly an experience I will never forget and I would recommend it to any dental nurse or HCP in the future.
RADC BULLETIN 2022 23