Ways of preserving the oral health of seafarers during long voyage

Abstract

The purpose of the study was the assessment of the oral health in seafarers of the shipping company and raising the level of oral hygiene in a long voyage.

Materials and methods. The study examined the dental health of 106 male sailors aged 45–59 years, working in one of the country’s shipping companies. The assessment of dental health among seafarers was carried out using generally accepted examination methods before going on a long voyage and immediately after returning from it.

Results and discussion. It has been established that more than half of the seafarers (59,43%) of the shipping company go on long trips without full mouth debridement. On average, 1,76 carious teeth per 1 sailor, and 91,51% of sailors go swimming with chronic inflammatory periodontal pathology, which requires tightening control over the oral health of seafarers of the shipping company in the pre-navigation period.