Oral health status in relation to selected salivary elements among a group of gasoline stations workers

Abstract EN

Background : Gasoline constituents and its derivatives had many hazardous effects on the general health of humans.

Thus, gasoline stations workers may be affected by different types of related diseases.This study was conducted toperiodontal diseases among gasoline stations workers in comparison with individuals have no regular exposure to gasoline.Materials and methods : The study group consists of thirty male subjects with an age range (33-39) years who worked in different gasoline stations in different areas of Baghdad city and thirty persons that matching in age and genderand not exposed to gasoline were selected as a control group.

Dental caries was recorded by lesion severitythrough the application of D1-4 MFS index of (Manji et al).

Plaque index of Silness and Loe and calculus index of Ramfjord were used for recording oral hygiene status.

Periodontal diseases were evaluated by using the gingival index of Loe and Silness and periodontal pocket depth of Carranza.

Stimulated salivary samples were collected andchemically analyzed to determine the concentration of salivary calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper and lead ions.

Results: Caries experience (DMFS) was higher among the study group compared with the control group with significant difference (P < 0.05) for DS and highly significant difference (P<0.01) for D2.

The mean values of plaque, calculus and gingival indices were significantly higher (P < 0.01) among the study group than the control group and the mean value of periodontal pocket depth was significantly higher (P < 0.05) among the study group.

The levels of salivary calcium and phosphorous were lower among the study group compared with the control group with no significant difference between them; whereas iron, copper and lead levels were higher among the study group than the control group with highly significant differences (P < 0.01) for both copper and lead.

Conclusion: Dental caries and periodontal diseases revealed higher percentage of occurrence among the study group and salivary elements were found to have little effects on the oral health status.

Therefore, special oral healthpreventive and educational programs are needed for them