Male shift workers have poorer oral health

Dental caries and periodontal diseases appear to be more common among male shift workers, pointing to a potential negative impact of working conditions on oral health, reports a recent study.

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 180 male shift workers who had an average age of 39.19 years at the time of the assessment. Participants had been shift working for a mean of 13.91 years and 35 percent of respondents had had ≥10 years of shift work experience.

In terms of oral health behaviours, only 9 percent brushed their teeth at least twice per day, and 18 percent did so at least once per day. Only 1 percent used dental floss at least once per day. Meanwhile, 42 percent consumed sugary drinks or food at least once per day. A dental visit in the past year was reported by 33 percent of respondents.

Participants had an average decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) of 12.89. DMFT was significantly correlated with the number of years in a shift schedule (Pearson coefficient, 0.41; p<0.001), but not with job stress (Person coefficient, –0.11; p=0.12).

Similarly, the mean number of periodontal pockets >4 mm in depth was 5.03 and was correlated with the number of years in shift work (Pearson coefficient, 0.33; p<0.001). No such effect was reported for job stress (Pearson coefficient, –0.03; p=0.68).

Generalized Poisson regression analysis found that shift work and job stress were not independent correlates of DMFT and periodontal pockets.

“Provision of rather stable working time would help workers for better adherence to optimal oral health behaviours which in turn enhance their oral health and overall health status and ultimately their productivity in their work environment,” the researchers said.