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The IDF Medical Corps uses antiseptic soap for hand hygiene in military clinics in accordance with the Israel Ministry of Health guidelines. In recent years, a number of studies have been published indicating that antiseptic soap may not be superior to regular soap for proper hand hygiene. We reviewed the current literature on the topic and concluded that antiseptic soaps are not superior to regular soaps in reducing the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms from healthcare workers to patients in community clinics. The time required for proper handwashing with antiseptic soap to achieve a satisfactory effect is longer compared to other methods. Extensive use of antiseptic soaps in the community increases resistance among pathogens and constitutes a common cause of irritant contact dermatitis in healthcare workers. We recommend handwashing with regular soap or alcohol-based hand rub for hand hygiene in military clinics, unless the hands are visibly soiled. The use of antiseptic agents should be avoided. In addition, it is important to educate healthcare workers and soldiers on proper hand hygiene techniques and timing.

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Introduction: In February of 2023, a delegation from the IDF Medical Corps was sent to Turkey to set up a hospital in the aftermath of an earthquake. The delegation comprised of 140 medical and logistics personnel who spent a week in Turkey. They encountered several physical and mental challenges during their mission, such as uncertainty, lack of sleep, and language and cultural differences, while providing medical care. Previous literature suggests that embarking on such a mission can lead to negative psychological effects for support workers, both during and after the mission. To assess the mental well-being and burnout levels of the delegation members, a survey was conducted one day before their return to Israel.

Method: A total of 102 delegation members filled out a self-report questionnaire that measured their general self-efficacy, optimism, burnout, sense of coherence, social support, and life satisfaction. Additionally, data were collected regarding their military status )regular army or reserve(, profession, gender, and prior experience in medical support assignments.

Results: Mental health status was positive and burnout level was low, compared to other military units. Well-being variables were positively correlated and negatively correlated with burnout. Discussion,

conclusions and recommendations: The results were explained by the fact that the delegation had professional and experienced personnel, a mental health officer, and a short time period in Turkey. We emphasized the need for )a( mental preparedness for delegation members in such missions, )b( early measurement of predictors for well-being and burnout, and )c( follow-up on the mental states of delegation personnel after returning home.

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Background: Military service is often characterized by intensive work, insufficient sleep, and various stress factors. These characteristics are risk factors for mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic syndrome. The prevalence of taking anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications among IDF soldiers has not yet been studied, and the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who take them have not yet been described.

Method: The study population included all soldiers who served in mandatory and permanent service between 2009 and 2019. Psychiatric diagnoses recorded in the military medical records were noted for each soldier. Any soldier who was administered more than two monthly prescriptions in a calendar year was included in the group of psychiatric medication users, even if no psychiatric diagnosis appeared in their medical file.

Results: About 3.5% of IDF personnel took psychiatric medication for anxiety or depression for at least two consecutive months between 2009 and 2019. Taking medication for depression and anxiety was more common among women, people with higher education levels, and non-combat soldiers (p<0.05). The most common diagnosis was depressive episodes followed by adjustment disorders with anxiety and depressive features. The most common drugs were the SSRIs. Prevalence of medication use across the 2009-2019 decade was constant.

Conclusion: We found that anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication use was less prevalent in the IDF than in the civilian population. Moreover, the use of these medicines remained consistent throughout the decade of 2009-2019. This finding highlights the need for additional research in this area.

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Wisdom tooth extraction is one of the most common procedures in dental clinics. These teeth are usually extracted due to lack of space, pain, and even infections that can impair the functioning of patients. Molar teeth, including wisdom teeth, may need to be extracted for various reasons such as cavities or bone resorption affecting attachment to bone. This can impact chewing, function, and self-esteem. In recent years, there is a growth in the popularity of autotransplantation: a procedure in which a useless wisdom tooth is extracted and replaced in the socket of another molar that had to be extracted, as an alternative to performing dental implants or bridges to restore the missing tooth ridge. This article provides an overview of the procedure and two cases where the procedure was performed in the Endodontic Department at the Tel Hashomer Dental Medical Center in 2020. The differences between the cases and their respective outcomes shed light on the subject and can raise awareness among both general practitioners and patients.