The Shipowners’ P&I Club provides advice to seafarers on how to maintain their dental hygiene on board as they can spend weeks at sea on a voyage with limited access to regular and advanced dental care whilst at sea. This article is part of a series of articles in which the Club shares guidance and practical tips to operators to promote good crew health on board.
Most frequent dental problems at sea include tooth decay, gym disease and root canal problems. Key aspects of good oral hygiene include using proper brushing techniques and changing toobrushes regularly, the Club notes.
Claims related to illness are frequently notified to the Club, with the number of claims reported remaining steady in number over the last five policy years. Therefore, the Club has partnered with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to raise awareness of crew-related illness and to assist operators in mitigating against related incidents. Specifically, they offer two publications including guidelines to assist with aspects of dental care on board. ISWAN has also produced three posters to help remind crew of dental hygiene best practice, available here
Source: The Shipowners P&I Club