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Dentist, technician contribute to Iraqi security

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Bryan Bouchard
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq --  It's hard to believe a dentist and his technician are at the forefront of the future security of Iraq. But nonetheless, armed with some dental tools and suction, they are ensuring future Iraqi national police are healthy enough to stand up against terrorists in their country.

In a small, wooden shed-like clinic operated by Department of Defense-contracted and Iraqi physicians, Col. (Dr.) Michael McHenry and Staff Sgt. Jose Cano, both from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, treat patients in the makeshift trauma center, performing everything from temporary fillings to tooth extractions.

"Our patients are Iraqi national special police recruits who we will depend on to try to help bring law and order back to Iraq," said Dr. McHenry, a San Fernando Valley, Calif., native. "Anything I can do to facilitate their training by keeping them healthy is in all our best interests."

Dr. McHenry and Sergeant Cano arrive in the morning, receive updates from resident physicians, then open the doors. One by one, Iraqi, Fijian and patients of other nationalities who work at the camp start to trickle in.

"We see how appreciative and grateful they are of the service we provide for them," said Sergeant Cano, an El Paso, Texas, native. "Most of our patients have never been to a dentist."

According to Hawaii resident Dr. Kurt Schnapp, the dental service is a much-needed amenity to the small, yet effective clinic.

"We aren't set up for dental," Dr. Schnapp said. "We're set up for trauma."

The DOD-sponsored clinic supports the INP, which is comparable in purpose to the U.S. Secret Service or FBI. The INP conducts operations in Iraq to deter and defeat terrorist operations. The clinic also offers regular, family practice services as well, and there is a need for dental work, Dr. Schnapp said.

He said having Dr. McHenry and Sergeant Cano on hand is a key part in ensuring the INP officers-in-training don't miss a beat with their progress through the course.

"Once word gets out that the dentist is here, it's unusual for us not to have a bench full of patients waiting for them," Dr. Schnapp said.

For Sergeant Cano, contributing to the troops' successful training in their bid to defeat the insurgency is worth all the work the duo performs.

"To know I have a small part in this is a great honor," he said. "It's unfortunate that the American public doesn't get to see this on a daily basis -- it gives you hope for the future of Iraq."