Occupational dental wear among El-Kubasis cement factory workers - An observational study

Abstract

Background: Loss of tooth structure may be due to tooth to tooth contact and presence of abrasive components inthe work environment. The aim of study was planned to evaluate the occurrence of dental attrition among Cementfactory workers.Material and Method: The Sample included all workers chronically exposed to cement dust in the EL-Kubaisa cementfactory (95 workers). A comparative group of workers (97) were non-exposed to cement dust was selected. Allworkers were males in gender with age range (25-55) years. The assessment of tooth wear was based on the criteriaof smith and knight, 1984.Results: The maximum tooth wear score for exposed workers was 84.2% while non exposed workers was 38.1%,withstatistical differences between two groups was highly significant (P<0.01). The maximum tooth wear score amongworkers exposed to cement dust according to duration (<10years), (10-20 years) and >20 years) was (52.2 %), (92.3%)and (100%) respectively, with statistical differences was highly significant (P< 0.001). While the maximum tooth wearscore among workers exposed to cement dust according to wearing mask was found to be statistically notsignificant (P> 0.05).Conclusion: Work environment was related to dental wear