Periodontal health and oral mucosal lesions as related to occupational exposure to acid mists.
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.
Vianna
Maria Isabel Pereira
MI
Department of Social Odontology, Dentistry School, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. isabel@ufba.br
Santana
Vilma Sousa
VS
McKelvey
Wendy
W
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
D000143:Acids; D000336:Aerosols; D008670:Metals