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| 2010-22 |
| 22-1 |
ISSN (Print) 1013-9052
EISSN 1658-3558
The Saudi Dental Journal,
P.O. Box 52500,
Riyadh 11563,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
P.O. Box 52500,
Riyadh 11563,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| Tel. |
966-1-467-7328 |
| Fax. |
933-1-467-7308 / 966-1-467-7534 |
| Email |
saudidj@ksu.edu.sa |
|
Prevalence of Barodontalgia among pilots and divers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Wadha Al-Hajri,* BDSEbtissam Al-Madi,** BDS, MSc *P.O.Box 495, Dhahran Airport 31932, KSA e mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it **College of Dentistry, King Saud University e mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Barodontalgia is defined as
tooth pain occurring with changes in pressure environment. It commonly affects
pilots and divers, as they are frequently subjected to barometric pressure
changes during their work. AIM:
To measure the prevalence of barodontalgia among pilots flying non-commercial
war planes and divers practicing in air bases, naval bases and diving schools
in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. MATERIAL
AND METHODS: Three-hundred and fifty questionnaires consisting of
demographic data and questions about the occurrence of tooth pain during flying
or diving were distributed among pilots and divers. RESULTS: There was a
response rate of 72.8% in Saudi Arabia
and 80% in Kuwait. Almost thirty-four percent of the sample
experienced barodontalgia at one point in time during their practice. More
pilots had an occurrence of pain while flying (49.6%) than did divers while
diving (17.3%). Pilots had higher incidence of pain while ascending (30.4%)
than descending (19.3%), while divers had higher incidence of pain while diving
(13.9%) than resurfacing to sea level (3.6%). The highest percentage of tooth
pain occurred in pilots while flying at an altitude that ranged from 11,000 -
20,000 ft (3300 - 6000 m) and with divers while diving with a depth that ranged
from 60 - 80 ft (18 - 24 m). Recurrence of tooth pain after treatment occurred
in 16.4% of pilots and 25.0% of divers during their practice. CONCLUSIONS:
Barodontalgia is common in Saudi Arabia
and Kuwait
with a prevalence rate as high as 33.6%. Pilots reported high occurrence than
divers. It was common on ascent while flying and descent while diving.
Recurrence of pain after treatment was not frequent.
Saudi Dental Journal 2006;18(3):134-140 |