Authors: Jagger, Robert G.¹; Shah, Chand A.²; Weerapperuma, Indika D.³; Jagger, Daryll C.⁴

Source: Primary Dental Care, Volume 16, Number 2, April 2009 , pp. 75-78(4)

Publisher: Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK)

Abstract:

Aim: To assess the prevalence of orofacial complications associated with SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) diving. Main outcome measures were prevalence of orofacial pain and odontocrexis.

Method: Two hundred divers at four dive centres on the north-east coast of Australia were asked to complete a questionnaire that requested information regarding diving experience and facial pain and dental symptoms experienced during diving.

Results: One hundred and twenty-five completed questionnaires were returned (63% response rate). The prevalence of reported orofacial pain was 44%. Twenty-one per cent reported toothache, 27% sinus pain, 16% jaw pain, and 12% other pain. The prevalence of odontocrexis was less than 1%. Less than 1% had lost a filling when diving. No divers reported a crown or bridge being dislodged during diving.

Conclusion: Among those who returned questionnaires, orofacial pain in divers was common and odontocrexis was rare.

Keywords: FACIAL PAIN; BARODONTALGIA; ODONTOCREXIS; SCUBA DIVING

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1308/135576109787909463

Affiliations: 1: Consultant Senior Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry, Division of Restorative Dentistry, Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, UK 2: General Dental Practitioner, Cardiff, UK 3: General Dental Practitioner, Edinburgh, UK 4: Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Restorative Dentistry, Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, UK

Publication date: 2009-04-01

More about this publication?

• Primary Dental Care is the research journal of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), and the only peer-reviewed journal dedicated wholly to research in primary care dentistry. The aim of the journal is to promote academic and research aspects of primary dental care by publishing relevant peer-reviewed papers. In addition, reviews, reports of clinical cases, book reviews, opinions, summaries and abstracts of scientific meetings and news items are included.

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