DENTAL HEALTH OF A SAILOR IN THE CONDITIONS OF LONG AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION AT SEA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

In the light of modern realities related to the Covid-19 pandemic announced by the World Health Organization in 2020, various activities are being carried out to ensure the safety of seafarers. In conditions of autonomous navigation, many factors are relevant for sailors: nutrition, maintaining both somatic and dental health, the effect of stress and pathological anxiety-depressive response on the general condition of the body, etc. At the same time, the provision of high-quality drinking water is considered very important for the health of a seafarer. The purpose of the study. To study the prevalence of the main dental pathology – caries and periodontal diseases in seafarers after a long stay at sea, associated with an increase in the duration of the contract due to the pandemic. Materials and methods of research. The research involved 35 young people (men) aged 20 to 38 years, who studied the condition of the oral cavity before and after returning from the flight. When evaluating the results, the duration of stay in the conditions of autonomous navigation was taken into account. Research results and their discussion. Before leaving for the flight, out of 35 examined patients, only 2 did not have carious lesions, but at the same time, the PMA index indicated the presence of gingivitis: 24 people had localized gingivitis (PMA>25 %); 9 people had PMA from 27 to 61 %, which indicates the presence of generalized gingivitis. All sailors underwent oral sanitation before leaving for the voyage. At the end of the flight, it was found that 18 people had been on autonomous navigation for no more than 5 months, and 17 people had a flight lasting more than 6 months. The research results indicate a worsening of dental pathology with an increase in the duration of the flight. Conclusions: 1. It has been established that with an increase in the duration of the voyage, the prevalence and severity of dental pathology increases among seafarers. 2. The method of desalination of water is essential: thermal desalination often contributes to the development of caries, rather than using the reverse osmosis method.