title: Periodontal health and oral mucosal lesions as related to occupational exposure to acid mists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The association between exposure to acid mists and periodontal changes and oral mucosal lesions was measured using data from an Oral Health Promotion Program in a large metal plant. The role of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and oral health behavior in relation to these outcomes was also examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study of 665 active male workers who volunteered to participate in the oral health program. A job exposure matrix was constructed with industrial hygienist scores and job titles to estimate years of exposure to acid mists. Oral health outcomes were identified during standardized dental examinations. Unconditional logistic regression models were utilized in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Duration of exposure to acid mists exposure was positively associated with oral mucosal lesions among workers without lip sealing. Only age, low salaries and oral hygiene-related variables were associated with periodontal changes, and estimates varied according to lip sealing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that long-term occupational exposure to acid mists is associated with oral mucosal lesions, and that absence of lip sealing may increase the intensity of exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Odontology, Dentistry School, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. isabel@ufba.br
authors.forename: Maria Isabel Pereira
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Vianna
authors.forename: Vilma Sousa
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McKelvey
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D000336:Aerosols; D008670:Metals