Flight Attendant Medical...Why the dentist???

[cloud nine]

Hi all,

Just curious..I found out today in a pre employment medical that they want an x-ray of your teeth. Does anyone know why?

[redsnail]

Any dodgy fillings could give you trouble in a pressurised cabin. If they haven't been filled in properly a cavity is formed. Sometimes in a pressurised cabin the tooth can then "explode" with the pressure change. Not nice. Also, a definite risk in an explosive decompression incident. (Of course, you would be worried about other things)
On a slightly more grimmer note. All dental x-rays are kept on a central database so if the plane is burnt/destroyed you can be identified. This is the case for all dental records, not just aircrew.

[cloud nine]

Thanks redsnail....

That is very informative. I must say I was suprised to hear that dodgey fillings can explode..Oach!! And yes of coarse dental Xrays are the best way to identify someone.

Wondering though...do you think if someone was actually aware that they had a few painless cavities in there teeth that it would affect the marks on there avaiation/flight attendant medical? I would hate not to get in just cause I missed my 6 monthly check up and are aware of a few possible cavities...

[redsnail]

I honestly don't know but I doubt it. Just something to tell the fang carpenter so he/she does a good job if a filling is required. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[cloud nine]

<a href="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/lol.gif" target="_blank">http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/lol.gif</a>

Fang Carpenter??? Youve gotta love that one!!

[farrenfour]

Its more likely to do with the companies liability to the health insurance company (if the offer a dental component as part of their perks ?) , you ain't even gonna notice an exploding filling in the event of a decompression, you will probably be quite busy - mind you it will hurt like hell later <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

. .F4. ."oops, It's never done that before"

[dingducky]

perhaps the pilots are worried about the damage that could be caused by young hosties with sharp teeth <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

[flapsforty]

Cloud, it sounds as if your future employer is thorough. . .No way ours could identify us if we burnt to a cinder 'cause no dental records on file. . .Pilots yes, FA's no.. .Neither do they bother with medicals after the very first one that checks if you are strong enough for the pounding your body will take the next 25 years.. .Pilots get their health checked because the law requires it, FA's don't get any money "wasted" on their health since JAR apparently does not require that. . .Like we'll find out soon enough if we don't have the strenght to haul full meal trolleys up the slope or lift heavy double stowed containers in and out of their wall postions. . .And when that happens you're not "fit for flight" any longer and you can sodd off.

Goodbye & Thanks for all the fish, as Mr Adams would say.

So if your coming employer is as thorough as it seems here, Cloudnine, count your blessings matey, it seems they think a bit more if their Fa's than as just Tucker Chuckers.. .Good for them and very good for you.

PS: Dux, this ain't JB <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Fox_4]

Friend of mine had his tooth explode on a rapid descent to low level. Guy in the back seat said he had never heard such a loud scream. Got it down in one piece luckily. Dodgy filling to blame, air expanded and shattered the tooth. A tad distracting to fly the jet with that.

Pays to get a good job done!

Someone above was right as well, should the worst happen, match up the teeth.