Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of Soft Drink Factory Workers of Madurai City: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Oral health is an integral part of general health. Good oral health helps people to communicate and enhances their dignity and personality. Oral health of soft drink factory workers depended on their working environment. Aims and objectives: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of soft drink factory workers in Madurai city, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 175 soft drink factory workers. Informed consent from the participants and ethical clearance were obtained. Data were collected by using WHO Oral Health Assessment Form for Adults, 2013. Results: The result shows higher prevalence of oral problems with 80% dental caries, 82.9% gingival bleeding, 13.7% periodontal pockets, 15.4% loss of attachment, 54.9% fluorosis, and 50.9% dental erosion in soft drink factory workers. Conclusion: The study suggests that the oral health status of these soft drink factory workers is poor and there is an increased need for their dental treatment.