Background and activities of dentists’ participation in JMAT in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes

Abstract

The Hyogo Prefecture Medical Association dispatched the Japan Medical Association Team (JMAT) in response to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. The Hyogo JMAT organized a team of doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and coordinators and provided continuous support. JMAT’s activities must cover health and public health activities over a prolonged time until the local medical institution is restored after taking over from the Disaster Medical Association Team (DMAT). At this event, a dentist was among the JMAT for the first time in the history of disasters in Japan. JMAT, in which dentists participated, could respond to disaster victims by multiple occupations, and the cooperation with the dental association team that provided support was smooth. Notably, dentists from both the conventional dental association team and JMAT were dispatched. Therefore, when dispatching, between the Japan Medical Association and the Japan Dental Association, and between the disaster-affected prefecture medical association and the disaster-affected prefecture dental association. It is necessary to share information closely in Japan, and it is necessary to build cooperation.