Assessment of oral health status among underground coal mine workers of Bokaro city, Jharkhand, India: A cross sectional study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of underground coal mine workers with the objectives of assessing their tobacco and alcohol habits, oral hygiene behaviours, dental caries and periodontal disease status as well as dental traumatic injuries. Methods: The Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study was conducted in Bokaro city, Jharkhand, India for the duration of 2 months. 400 subjects were included in the present study. Official permission was taken from the HRD department, Central Coal fields Limited (CCL), Ranchi headquarter. All the subjects who agreed to participate in the study were requested to give written informed consent prior to the beginning of the study. Results: Majority of them belongs to 51-60 years of age group (32.8%) followed by 41-50 years (29.3%), 31-40 years (24.5%) and <30 years (13.5%). The result depicted that most of the workers had their education between primary and secondary level (60.3%) and above secondary level of education was observed in (18.3%). The result demonstrates caries status; 6% subjects had no caries. Caries was found prevalent in 51.5% followed by caries with restoration in 25.8%, filled 11.8% and missing teeth was observed in 5% of the study population. The result demonstrates prevalence of gingival bleeding; 16.5% subjects had no gingival bleeding manifestation and rest 83.5% of the workers presented with bleeding gums. Conclusion:In conclusion, the underground coalmines workers are characterized by a lack of previous dental care, poor oral hygiene, high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases and high treatment needs.