Occupational exposure to acid mists and periodontal attachment loss

Prevalence of Periodontitis among Thermal Power Station Workers in South India

The occupational stressors has an effect on overall health and dental health. Oral health is a vital aspect of general health. The current study was performed to assess the periodontitis among thermal power station workers in South India. Pilot study was done for 52 mine workers and based on the periodontal disease prevalence among them, the sample size was calculated as 603 subjects. The data collection was done using WHO 1997 proforma. Among the total study population, about 92 (30%) thermal power station 1 workers and 83 (28.1%) thermal power station 2 workers had pocket 4-5 mm, one (0.2%) thermal power station, 2 worker had pocket 6 mm or more thermal power station I workers, and 23 (7.8%) thermal power station 2 workers had 6 - 8 mm attachment loss. Only 1 (0.3%) thermal power station I worker had 9 - 11 mm attachment loss. In the current study, nearly 70% mine workers had calculus, nearly 30% had pocket 4-5 mm, and only 0.2% Mine II workers had pocket measuring 6 mm or more.

Examining relationship between occupational acid exposure and oral health in workplace

Background

Acid mist can suspend in the air and enter the body via skin contact, the respiratory tract, or even oral intake, which pose various health hazards. Previous studies have shown that occupational exposure to acid mist or acidic solutions is a major risk factor for oral diseases. However, the findings are inconsistent and do not consider individual factors and lifestyles that may cause the same oral diseases. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive oral health survey and collected detail information to confirm the effect of acidic solution exposure on worker’s oral health.

Methods

From 4 acidic solution factories, a total of 309 subjects (157 in control and 152 in exposed group) was enrolled. All participants competed oral examinations and self-report questionnaire, including the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, community periodontal index (CPI), loss of attachment (LA) index, and tooth erosion. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between the acidic solution exposure and oral health.

Results

The results showed that acid exposure was correlated with soft oral tissue injury rather than hard oral tissue in our survey. In the multivariate model (adjusted for sex, age, worked years, education level, mouthwash use, dental floss use, tooth brushing, mask use, smoking, drinking, chewing areca and dietary habits with acidic foods), significant relationships of acid exposure with LA score were observed (OR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.03–5.26). However, the presence of acid exposure was not significantly associated with tooth erosion, DMFT, and CPITN.

Conclusion

Our study highlighted that occupational acid exposure was an independent risk factor for periodontal health, especially LA. It is important to strengthen occupational hazard control, educate workers on oral disease and related factors, and raise the awareness of oral hygiene.

A cross-sectional study on oral health status of battery factory workers in Chennai city

Aim and Objective:

Some occupational exposures are associated with oral changes in both hard and soft tissues. Presence of oral lesions can interfere with speech, swallowing, and general health of a patient. The present cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the oral health status of battery factory workers in Chennai city.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 600 subjects were selected in battery factory out of 3500 workers using statistical sample selection formula 4pq/l² and divided into study and control groups based on acid exposure. The data were recorded on a modified World Health Organization 1997 pro forma. The data were evaluated using Chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U-test.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 600 subjects were selected in battery factory out of 3500 workers using statistical sample selection formula 4pq/l² and divided into study and control groups based on acid exposure. The data were recorded on a modified World Health Organization 1997 pro forma. The data were evaluated using Chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U-test.

Results:

Oral symptoms such as disturbed taste, dry mouth, oral ulcers, and foul breath were statistically significant between the groups (<0.001). Dental erosion was statistically significant with the duration of working years. Dental erosion was significant among study group compared to control (0.001).

Conclusion:

The present study showed that selected samples had various oral conditions due to exposure to acids from battery. It was observed that oral health problems were directly related to the duration of acid exposure in the study group. Implementing exhaust ventilation and monitoring the devices help in reducing the acid exposure. Implementation of oral hygiene education and nutritional supplementation helps in improving their oral health.

Condições de saúde bucal de industriários participantes de Programa de Saúde Bucal na Empresa

Resumo Objetivo: verificar as condições de saúde bucal de trabalhadores de cinco indústrias da região metropolitana de Salvador, Bahia, que participavam do Programa de Saúde Bucal na Empresa (PSBE) entre os anos 2003 a 2008. Métodos: estudo transversal retrospectivo, com dados secundários do banco de dados do SESI/DR-BA. Participaram todos os funcionários que realizaram pelo menos dois exames odontológicos no período, totalizando 1.277 trabalhadores. Foram investigados dados sociodemográficos, incidência de cárie, atividade de cárie, urgência odontológica, uso e necessidade de prótese. Resultado: predominou o sexo masculino com média de idade de 38 anos (DP = 10,07). O índice CPO-D (dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados) apresentou variação da média de 15 a 19, com maior percentual para dentes obturados (de 58,5% a 70,2%). Observou-se menor incidência de cárie nos que possuíam maior número de exames – 35,03% com 2 exames e 21,88% com 4 exames (p<0,01). Destaca-se maior associação positiva entre atividade de cárie e ramo de metais (29,19%) em 2007. O ramo outros serviços apresentou os maiores percentuais de urgência odontológica (5,60% em 2007, 8,40% em 2008). Conclusão: a redução na incidência de cáries e na necessidade de próteses entre os que mais realizaram exames indica que programas de saúde bucal nas empresas podem contribuir para a melhor saúde bucal dos trabalhadores.

Prevalence and risk factors of non-carious cervical lesions related to occupational exposure to acid mists

This study evaluates the prevalence and risk factors of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in a Brazilian population of workers exposed and non-exposed to acid mists and chemical products. One hundred workers (46 exposed and 54 non-exposed) were evaluated in a Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador - CEREST (Worker's Health Reference Center). The workers responded to questionnaires regarding their personal information and about alcohol consumption and tobacco use. A clinical examination was conducted to evaluate the presence of NCCLs, according to WHO parameters. Statistical analyses were performed by unconditional logistic regression and multiple linear regression, with the critical level of p < 0.05. NCCLs were significantly associated with age groups (18-34, 35-44, 45-68 years). The unconditional logistic regression showed that the presence of NCCLs was better explained by age group (OR = 4.04; CI 95% 1.77-9.22) and occupational exposure to acid mists and chemical products (OR = 3.84; CI 95% 1.10-13.49), whereas the linear multiple regression revealed that NCCLs were better explained by years of smoking (p = 0.01) and age group (p = 0.04). The prevalence of NCCLs in the study population was particularly high (76.84%), and the risk factors for NCCLs were age, exposure to acid mists and smoking habit. Controlling risk factors through preventive and educative measures, allied to the use of personal protective equipment to prevent the occupational exposure to acid mists, may contribute to minimizing the prevalence of NCCLs.