Changes in Periodontal Health Status among Naval Personnel during Prolonged Sailing

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in periodontal status among some naval personnel of Chinese PLA during Gulf of Aden convoy and analyze possible causes. Methods: The changes in oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PLI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), community periodontal index (CPI), tooth mobility (TM), and number of missing teeth (NMT) excluding third molars, and the prevalence of periodontal disease between post-sailing and pre-sailing were measured and analyzed among 186 naval personnel who participated in prolonged sailing. Results: Each periodontal index on post-sailing was significantly higher than that of pre-sailing and there was significant difference between them. Before sailing, total prevalence of periodontal disease was 59.7%. After sailing, normal percentage decreased to 16.7% (P<0.01), total prevalence increased to 83.3%, the percentage of gingivitis and mild periodontitis increased to 38.7%, 27.4% respectively (P<0.05), and the percentage of moderate and severe periodontitis increased to 10.8%, 6.5% respectively (P<0.01). Significant differences were found in all indices between post-sailing and pre-sailing. Conclusions: Our research indicates that prolonged sailing environment, food constraint and poor oral hygiene could notably influence periodontal status of naval personnel. It is essential for periodontal health of naval personnel during prolonged sailing to promote education on oral hygiene, develop the habit of correct tooth brushing and have balanced and rational diet, and perform proper periodontal non-surgical treatment and medication.