Prevalence of Barodontalgia among pilots and divers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

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 pilotsand 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.