Dental care at AWH Hospital #1, Luzancy, France

World War I produced conflict and carnage, the likes of which had never been seen before.  France suffered devastating effects of the war being fought on its soil, including a severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the bombardment of villages near the constantly-moving front lines. The conditions of poor, rural villages already suffering from malnutrition and disease were exacerbated by the war.  After the armistice, the AWH doctors focused on civilian service, including preventive care such as inoculations against typhoid, improving sanitation, long-needed surgeries, and dental work.

The devastated areas in France suffered from years of lack of medical care due to the war.  After the war ended, AWH sought to not only solve the immediate problems of disease and poor sanitary conditions, they also worked to ensure that the people they treated received preventive care. They provided many – especially children – with dental care.