sexually  transmitted  diseases  and  are  criminal offenses.   The   medical   management   of   sexual offenses  must  be  a  joint  medicolegal  function.  The Medical  Department  representative  (MDR)  should ensure  that  the  victim’s  commanding  officer  is notified. It is the responsibility of the command to  contact  NIS  and  the  responsibility  of  the Medical Department to provide medical manage- ment.   BUMEDINST   6320.57   series,   Family Advocacy   Program,   provides   guidelines   on managing  sexual  offenses.  The  victim  of  a sexual assault should be referred immediately to the  nearest  NRMC  or  other  fixed  medical treatment  facility  when  circumstances  permit. When the circumstances of the command do not permit  such  (e.g.,  when  at  sea),  the  MDR  must treat  any  resultant  injuries  and  safeguard  and obtain  evidence,  as  directed  by  NIS  and  instructed in   the   NIS   Sexual   Assault   Investigative   Kit. Reassurance   and   calm,   efficient,   sympathetic handling  of  the  victim  is  essential.  In  all  cases, refer the victim to a medical treatment facility as soon  as  possible  for  further  treatment. Common  Breast  Conditions Usually afflictions of the breasts that will be brought  to  your  attention  may  be  referred  to  a physician  for  routine  evaluation  and  treatment. The  most  commonly  encountered  breast  condi- tions  are  contusions.  These  are  best  treated  by using  a  breast  binder  for  immobilization  and support.  Hot  or  cold  compresses  may  help  to alleviate the severity of pain. Breast infections and abscesses are rare in nonlactating women, but they do   occur.   Treat   these   conditions   with   anti- microbial.  Refer  patients  with  breast  abscesses, drainage, lesions, lumps, or persistent pain and related  symptoms  for  definitive  treatment. Although discussed earlier in this chapter, it would  be  appropriate  to  again  stress  that  the cultivation of a professional, mature, sincere, and compassionate attitude by the hospital corpsman is  essential.  Medical  ethics  is  stressed  at  all  times and is indeed mandatory when treating patients, regardless of the sex. DENTAL  CARE Ensuring   that   the   entire   crew   is   in   good dental  health  before  deployment  will  prevent  most dental-related  problems.  Predeployment  exami- nations  are  therefore  very  important. In the absence of a dental officer aboard ship, you,  the  MDR,  must  perform  basic  emergency dental  first  aid  to  alleviate  pain,  arrest hemorrhage, and prevent further or complicating injury to dental structures that are associated with the  most  common  oral  conditions  and  injuries. Only attempt to administer emergency basic dental care. You should refer all routine cases to a  dental  treatment  facility,  and  refer  all  cases treated  by  nondental  personnel  for  follow-up  at the  earliest  opportunity. DENTAL   FUNDAMENTALS Some   knowledge   of   dental   terminology   is important  to  interpret  emergency  treatment  plans prepared by dentists and to prepare consultation sheets for referral to a dental treatment facility. Make  sure  you  use  standard  dental  abbreviations when recording entries in a patient’s dental record. These abbreviations are in MANMED, chapter 6, article 115. Terminology The following terms are defined as used in this section. ABSCESS—a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by distintegrating tissues in or about the  tooth ALVEOLAR   BONE—a   thin   layer   of   bone making up the bony processes of the maxilla and mandible,  and  surrounding  and  containing  the teeth.   It   is   pierced   by   many   small   openings through   which   blood   vessels,   lymphatic,   and nerve fibers pass. APICAL  FORAMEN—an  aperature  at  or near  the  apex  of  the  root  of  a  tooth,  through which blood vessels and nerves supplying the pulp pass BUCCAL—pertaining  to  or  directed  toward the cheek BUCCAL   VESTIBULE—the   area   between the cheeks and the teeth and gingivae CEMENTUM—the bonelike connective tissue covering the root of a tooth and assisting in tooth support CERVIX—the  neck  of  the  tooth CROWN—the  portion  of  a  tooth  covered  by enamel DENTIN—the chief hard tissue of the tooth; it  surrounds  the  tooth  pulp  and  is  covered  by enamel  on  the  crown  and  by  cementum  on  the root 2-40