Mohammed K Yousef1, Maria Ibrahim2, Abeer Assiri2, Abdulaziz Hakeem2. 1. Operative Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, P O Box 80209, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia Phone: +96-(0)612-640-3443 ext. 21012, E-mail: myousf@kau.edu.sa. 2. School of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Barotrauma is a physical injury that results from ambient pressure changes during flying, diving or hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of oro-facial barotrauma among a sample of scuba divers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for the study were collected through a self-reported questionnaire that was distributed to 166 divers. The questionnaire was divided into two parts, in which the first part contained demographic data and the second part consists of multiple choice questions and a few open-ended questions discussing the different signs and symptoms of orofacial barotraumas. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-sixty-three divers responded. The most frequent symptoms during diving were dry mouth (51.9%), followed by clenching (32.5%) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain (19.5%), while the most frequent symptoms after diving were dry mouth (22.7%) followed by clenching and facial pain (16.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Clenching and dry mouth were common findings but are temporary in nature and do not warrant any dental intervention. TMJ and facial pain were also reported but were temporary. The use of commercial mouthpieces during diving may be related to more symptoms when compared with customized types.
INTRODUCTION:Barotrauma is a physical injury that results from ambient pressure changes during flying, diving or hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of oro-facial barotrauma among a sample of scuba divers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for the study were collected through a self-reported questionnaire that was distributed to 166 divers. The questionnaire was divided into two parts, in which the first part contained demographic data and the second part consists of multiple choice questions and a few open-ended questions discussing the different signs and symptoms of orofacial barotraumas. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-sixty-three divers responded. The most frequent symptoms during diving were dry mouth (51.9%), followed by clenching (32.5%) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain (19.5%), while the most frequent symptoms after diving were dry mouth (22.7%) followed by clenching and facial pain (16.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Clenching and dry mouth were common findings but are temporary in nature and do not warrant any dental intervention. TMJ and facial pain were also reported but were temporary. The use of commercial mouthpieces during diving may be related to more symptoms when compared with customized types.
Entities:
Keywords:
Barotrauma; dental; pain; scuba diving; underwater medicine
Authors: Deema M Alwohaibi; Lamia M Alohali; Ghadah S Al-Takroni; Bandar Al-Abdulwahab; Ashraf El-Metwally Journal: J Int Soc Prev Community Dent Date: 2020-09-28