News
First Stop for Scuba Divers: the Dentist’s Office?
The first time she tried scuba diving, Vinisha Ranna felt a squeezing sensation in her teeth.
That experience led to a study that concluded divers often encounter dental problems underwater. Potentially, these problems include pain in the teeth, jaw and gums; loose crowns; and broken fillings, said Ranna, a dentist in training.
“Divers are required to meet a standard of medical fitness before certification, but there are no dental health prerequisites,” added Ranna, lead author of a new study on the subject.
Ranna is a student in the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in New York. She now advises scuba divers to seek dental care before diving if they have issues such as tooth decay or need restorations.
After wondering about the odd dental sensation she felt during her initial 2013 dive, Ranna and her colleagues contacted 100 certified recreational divers and asked them about dental symptoms. Forty-one said they’d had dental symptoms.
Of those divers, 42 percent had experienced the squeezing sensation, known as barodontalgia. The toothache-like pain can occur while someone is subjected to high or low pressures.
Almost one-quarter had felt pain from tightly holding the air regulator in their mouths, and 22 percent said they’d had jaw pain.
Five percent mentioned that their crowns had loosened during dives, and one person broke a filling, the researchers reported.
“The potential for damage is high during scuba diving,” says Ranna, who now has completed 60 dives.
“Considering that the air supply regulator is held in the mouth, any disorder in the oral cavity can potentially increase the diver’s risk of injury,” she said. “A dentist can look and see if diving is affecting a patient’s oral health.”
The findings don’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship between diving and dental problems. Still, Ranna said that because of pressure differences, an unhealthy tooth would be much more apparent underwater than on the surface.
The study was published recently in the British Dental Journal.
Source: www.satprnews.com
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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