Occupational exposure to airborne proteolytic enzymes and lifestyle risk factors for dental erosion--a cross-sectional study.
This study examined the hypothesis that occupational exposure to airborne proteolytic enzymes is associated with dental erosions on the facial surfaces of exposed teeth. Individuals (n = 425) working at a pharmaceutical and biotechnological enterprise (Novozymes A/S) were examined; their mean age was 35 years (range = 18-67 years) and 143 (34%) were women. Two hundred and two of these individuals were newly employed by the company. Occupational exposure was assessed from questionnaire and workplace information. For practical analytical purposes, individuals were categorized as either previously exposed to proteolytic enzymes or not. Information on relevant lifestyle factors and medical history was obtained from a questionnaire. The main effect measure was facial erosion, but lingual erosion indices and the presence of Class V restorations were also considered. The validity of these measures was shown to be very high. Adjusted for potential confounders, there was no association between history of occupational exposure to proteolytic enzymes and prevalent facial or lingual erosion. With respect to prevalence of Class V restorations, the association was significant. The present study did not support directly our primary hypothesis that occupational exposure to airborne proteolytic enzymes is associated with dental erosions on the facial surfaces of exposed teeth. However, the results indicate that exposure to proteolytic enzymes may lead to pronounced tooth substance loss, demanding treatment.
Westergaard
J
J
Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen, Nörre Allé 20, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. jytte.westergaard@odont.ku.dk
Larsen
I B
IB
Holmen
L
L
Larsen
A I
AI
Jørgensen
B
B
Holmstrup
P
P
Suadicani
P
P
Gyntelberg
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004345:Drug Industry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000145:classification
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases