title: Dental hygiene habits and oral health status of seafarers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study has assessed the dental hygiene habits and problems of seafarers and their attitudes/ perceptions regarding oral hygiene using a dental hygiene/habits questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  A research questionnaire on oral hygiene habits was prepared along with a summary of all the questions and sent to ships via e-mail by Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (CIRM) networks. CIRM, is the Italian Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service (TMAS), and represents the Centre with the largest number of seafarers assisted on board ships worldwide. CIRM proposed the questionnaire to all ships (n = 1,198) asking for medical advice from 1 July 2014 till 31 October 2014. Two dental professionals were involved in the development and analysis of the questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seafarers are at risk of several dental health problems due to their oral hygiene and dietary habits, smoking and alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene knowledge and motivation. Dietary habits during voyages were also questionable and seafarers consume food rich in fermentable carbohydrates, which is a major risk factor for dental caries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seafarers need better oral hygiene education and care to enable them to manage their oral health in a better way. Life at the sea, under challenging circumstances is not without stress, that is why it is important that seafarers are given complete information about correct oral hygiene protocols and dental hygiene and the advantages for their health of keeping a healthy mouth.
authors.affiliation: Telemedicine and Telepharmacy Centre, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy. syedsarosh.mahdi@unicam.it.
authors.forename: Syed Sarosh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mahdi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sibilio
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amenta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009326:Naval Medicine; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: dental hygiene; oral health; prevent; questionnaire; seafarers