Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of periodontal diseases among naval personnel during prolonged sailing. METHODS: The calculus index-simplified (CI-S), plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), community periodontal index (CPI), attachment loss (AL), number of missing tooth (NMT) and prevalence of periodontal disease were recorded among 186 naval personnel who participated in prolonged sailing before and after sailing. The data was analyzed with SPSS 14.0 software package. RESULTS: Each periodontal index after sailing was significantly higher than that of before sailing(P<0.01). Before sailing, the prevalence of periodontal diseases from 186 objects was 59.7%; While after sailing the prevalence increased to 83.3%. Among them, patients who suffered from gingivitis and mid or moderate periodontitis raised greatly, and significant differences were found in the prevalence and degree of periodontal disease (P<0.01) compared between pre-sailing and post-sailing. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged sailing environment, food constraint and poor oral hygiene can influence periodontal state of naval personnel. To enhance propaganda and education on oral hygiene promptly and effectively,to develop the habit of correct toothbrushing, to have balanced and rational diet, and to perform proper periodontal non-surgical treatment and medication are essential to periodontal health of naval personnel during prolonged sailing.

Key words: Prolonged sailing, Naval personnel, Periodontal disease