A retrospective study of oral pathoses in Israeli military divers and non-divers: 2011-2020

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving has grown tremendously as a recreational sport over the past decade. The pain divers experience due to barometric changes is referred to as barodontalgia, and it is known to cause various oral pathoses. Furthermore, divers suffer more frequently from temporomandibular disorders than non-divers. The aim of the study was to characterize oral pathoses between military divers and military non-divers.

Data from the dental files of healthy Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers aged 18-40 years were collected retrospectively for the years 2011-2020. The data for subjects exposed to diving were compared to commando and special forces soldiers.

The study population was composed of 6398 soldiers, which included 1036 divers and 5362 non-divers. All participants were male, with a median age of 22 years (mean = 22.1 years). Overall, higher rates of faulty dental restorations were seen among divers than non-divers (9.3% vs. 6.7% p = .006). Temporomandibular disorders were more prevalent among divers, specifically Disc Displacement Without Reduction (DDWOR) (0.4% vs. 0.1% p = .003). While dental fractures showed no significant difference between divers and non-divers (3.8% vs. 3.5% p = 0.8), other oral injuries were nine times more prevalent among divers versus non-divers.

Military divers are, overall, at a higher risk of oral pathoses than non-divers. This may be related to the characteristics and intensity of their military service.