Evidence of TMD in professional SCUBA-divers from Croatia

Objectives: SCUBA-diving is recognized as a contributing factor of TMD. Design of the mouthpiece, stress, and water temperature may be the leading causes that make diving a factor of TMD. Objective of this research was to determine whether there was a significant difference in the prevalence of TMD in the professional diver population comparing to the general population using a standardised research protocol (RDC-TMD).

Methods: 60 individuals participated in the research: 31 diver (SCUBA group) and 29 individuals from the general population (control group). Standardized RDC-TMD protocol was used for both study groups. A specially designed questionnaire concerning diving and awareness of TMD symptoms in daily life, during and after diving was used for the research group. Pearson's chi-square, One-Way ANOVA, Friedman and McNemar's tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results: There is significantly higher (p≤0.05) „group 2“ and „group 3“ RDC-TMD diagnosis in divers then in the control group. Degree of chronic pain is significantly higher (p≤0.05) in divers then in the control group. Awareness of TMD symptoms is significantly higher in daily life then during or after the dive. No significant results were found linking dive duration, dives per year and years of diving service with TMD incidence.

Conclusion: Professional divers are a risk group for the development or aggravation of existing TMD.

Supported by Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Republic of Croatia, project No 065-0650448-0957