Prevalence of Wasting Diseases and Oral Hygiene Practices among Construction Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Oral health holds equal significance to general health and is an invaluable asset for every individual. The evidence of occupation of people and oral health hazards related to construction sites instills a harmful environment which may contain abrasive particles in the form of silica and other mineral dust. Loss of tooth surface may be seen in different forms like attrition, abrasion, erosion etc., which could be attributed to occupational exposure. Tooth Wear, Gingival recession, clinical attachment loss were the common manifestations seen in construction workers due to the exposure of dust. Aphthous ulcer, caries, plaque, bleeding gums, poor periodontal status is the usual findings in construction workers. The prevalence of occupational diseases in India corresponds to 20% of the world's occupational diseases. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 422 construction workers. Both males and females of the age group 18-45 years participated. Demographics details, oral hygiene practices and habits were asked to each participant. The data were analyzed using SPSS Software Version 23.0, and a Chi-square test was conducted to assess the association between variables. Results: The results of the study indicate that wasting diseases are more prevalent among males of middle age (26-35 years) with education level till middle school along with a habit history of tobacco chewing. The oral hygiene status was fair among the construction workers and they were also associated with adverse habits. Conclusion: The findings from the study suggest that due to lack of knowledge and exposure towards the importance of oral hygiene practices the prevalence of wasting diseases are more commonly seen in construction workers. Awareness and education has to be given regarding oral hygiene and maintenance to reduce the prevalence of wasting diseases among construction workers.