Dental Caries, Erosive Tooth Wear, and Periodontal Status of Military Student Pilots in Finland: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health is a crucial factor for service safety among military pilots, but studies specifically on pilots are still very few in Finland. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of military student pilots compared to other conscripts of the same age group.

Materials and methods: The data were collected during the oral health examinations of the annual class of the Pilot Reserve Officer Course students at the beginning of their duty at the Air Force Academy (N = 38). A voluntary random sample of conscripts' oral health data (N = 574) collected from the 8 largest garrisons was used as a peer group. The study included males born between 2000 and 2002. The examinations were conducted in accordance with the WHO guidelines. Values of decayed (DT), missing, and filled teeth as well as the combined decayed, missing, and filled teeth value were recorded along with Basic Erosive Wear Examination scoring and Community Periodontal Index. The study was designed in accordance with the STROBE guidelines.

Results: The proportion of student pilots without any decayed teeth (DT = 0) was 42.1% with third molars and 44.7% without third molars. Among other conscripts, the proportions were 29.1% and 30.8%, respectively. Mean DT values among student pilots were 1.16 (third molars included) and 1.11 (third molars not included) (P = .543), and among other conscripts 1.10 and 1.00 (P = .429), respectively.The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth values were 2.50 among student pilots and 3.34 among others (third molars included), and 2.18 and 3.10 (without third molars), respectively (P = .289 and .211).The proportion of student pilots with at least moderate erosive tooth wear (Basic Erosive Wear Examination sum > 2) was 68.4%, while for other conscripts it was 22.1% (P = .000). None of the student pilots fell into Community Periodontal Index class 3 or 4, whereas 9.9% of other conscripts did (P = .006).

Conclusions: The student pilots exhibited good overall oral health, which differed from that of other conscripts, mainly in terms of erosive changes. Continuous monitoring is crucial, as maintaining optimal oral health is vital for reducing the risk of barodontalgia and thus improving flight safety. Therefore, it is important to be aware that those who aspire to be military pilots are at an increased risk of erosive changes to their teeth.