Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41146147›Full record

ArticleBMC oral health2025

Occupational health in aviation: a cross-sectional study of barodontalgia among Malaysian air force pilots.

Sulhi Abidin, Sofia Azreena Mohd Nazri, Nurhidayu Mazlan, Muhd Sharifuddin Mat Daud, Mohammed Haizar Haron, Munawarah Silam Abu Muslim, Galvin Sim Siang Lin

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Article in BMC oral health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sulhi AbidinDepartment of Prosthodontics, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Kuantan, Pahang, 25200, Malaysia.
Sofia Azreena Mohd NazriDepartment of Prosthodontics, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Kuantan, Pahang, 25200, Malaysia.
Nurhidayu MazlanDepartment of Prosthodontics, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Kuantan, Pahang, 25200, Malaysia.
Muhd Sharifuddin Mat DaudDepartment of Restorative Dentistry, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Kuantan, Pahang, 25200, Malaysia.
Mohammed Haizar HaronInstitute of Aviation Medicine, Subang Airforce Base, Shah Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40000, Malaysia.
Munawarah Silam Abu MuslimInstitute of Aviation Medicine, Subang Airforce Base, Shah Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40000, Malaysia.
Galvin Sim Siang LinDepartment of Restorative Dentistry, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Kuantan, Pahang, 25200, Malaysia. galvin@iium.edu.my.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBarodontalgia, or pressure-induced dental pain, poses a significant occupational risk to pilots, potentially impairing flight performance and safety. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of barodontalgia among Malaysian military pilots, identify the associated risk factors, and examine its relationship with flight performance.

methodsA cross-sectional study employing a census approach was conducted among active Malaysian military pilots between 2021 and 2022 using a modified questionnaire. The questionnaire underwent content validation by five experts and was pre-tested on 10 pilots. Data collection was performed through an online survey. Statistical analyses included descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square, t-tests, ANOVA, logistic regression, and ANCOVA), with results considered significant at p < 0.05.

resultsThe questionnaire demonstrated excellent content validity. Among the 190 pilots surveyed (63% response rate), 12.1% experienced barodontalgia, most commonly at altitudes of 6,000-10,000 feet, with worsening symptoms at 0-5,000 and 11,000-15,000 feet. Transport pilots reported the highest prevalence (43.5%), and the most common symptoms were headaches (43.5%) and loss of concentration (34.8%). Age was negatively associated with barodontalgia (β=-0.1505, p = 0.023), with younger pilots more likely to be affected. Meanwhile, years of service, aircraft type, smoking, dental awareness, and brushing frequency showed no statistically significant associations (p > 0.05). Gender was a significant predictor when controlling for service years (p = 0.048) but not when controlling for age (p = 0.067).

conclusionBarodontalgia is an occupational concern for Malaysian military pilots, particularly among younger pilots. Preventive dental care, targeted treatment, and regular check-ups are essential to mitigate risks and maintain operational readiness.

Indexed as

BarotraumaMilitary PersonnelOccupational DiseasesPilotsToothacheAdultAerospace MedicineAltitudeCross-Sectional StudiesHumansMalaysiaMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultAltitude sicknessDental careMilitary personnelOccupational healthPilots

Identifiers

PMID41146147
PMCPMC12560363

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.