09 May 2025

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Preparing for a disaster

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Texas A&M College of Dentistry students were among more than 600 Texas A&M University students taking part in the 17th annual Disaster Day on March 28 in College Station. The nation’s largest student-led interprofessional emergency response simulation teaches students critical life-saving skills essential in disaster situations.

The disaster simulated a train derailment with complications arising from a hazardous materials spill at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services’ Disaster City. The 52-acre mock city simulates real disasters and serves as a training ground for emergency responders, according to information provided by Texas A&M.

Student organizer Adriana Vega, who acted as a patient with smoke inhalation, said she learned the importance of quick thinking and teamwork. There were times she “died” of neglect when responders overlooked her medical needs, but she also experienced and witnessed great care in the “hospital” while a virus was affecting patients.

“At one point, they did chest compressions…There (were) people with some really bad wounds,” said Vega, a third-year dental student and vice president of the dental college’s chapter of the Hispanic Student Dental Association. “It was interesting to see how other people work.”

She said some dental students spent time in the “morgue” identifying victims by their teeth.

“Research shows that well-developed collaborative skills improve patient and population outcomes, especially during a disaster,” stated Christine Kaunas, assistant vice president for Interprofessional Practice Education and Research, in an interview with Vital Record from Texas A&M Health Science Center.

The office oversees the event and works with the student planning committee that includes Vega. The event took many months to plan, Vega said.

“I learned you have to step up, and you can’t assume people are going to step up” she said.

Disaster Day began in 2008 with a group of 35 students from the Texas A&M College of Nursing, who conducted a day-long mock disaster after witnessing Texas A&M provide disaster relief to those displaced by Hurricane Rita.

Author: Stephanie Patrick

Source: https://insights.dentistry.tamu.edu/

– Photos and video by Steven Crow of Texas A&M University College of Dentistry.

–Additional reporting by Laura Tolentino of Texas A&M Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health).