Perception of knowledge and attitude of dental complications of scuba diving in KSA: a dental practitioner and divers feedback

Background: Scuba diving is associated with certain dental complications, with which a majority of the scuba divers and dental practitioners are not familiar. Knowledge of these two groups has been found to be on the lower side as far as the barotraumas are concerned. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the knowledge of dental practitioners and scuba divers regarding management and prevention of dental complications during, before, and after scuba diving activities in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a dual survey-based study. Respective surveys were prepared and sent to scuba divers and dental practitioners in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Dental professionals were divided into further groups based upon their work experience and designations. Questions related to their demographics and knowledge of dental complications related to scuba diving were included in the survey. Results: A total of n=268 dental practitioners and an equal number (n=268) of scuba divers responded to the survey. The total number of study participants was N=536. We found some statistically significant results, where consultants exhibited better knowledge (59%) as compared with general practitioners having more experience (31%) regarding the relationship between scuba diving and dental complications (p value=0.011). As far as dental complications were concerned, the results revealed mixed responses from different educational levels in both dental practitioners as well as scuba diving group. Although the comparisons were statistically significant in the two groups (pvalue= 0.000), varying levels of knowledge were found among all educational levels. Conclusions: Dental professionals having more experience and training exhibited improved knowledge and attitude towards the relationship between scuba diving and dental complications. Scuba divers must be presented with special instructions related to several types of dental complications whenever seeking dental treatment.