Salivary antioxidants in relation to dental caries among a group of lead-acid batteries factory workers

Abstract EN

Background: Lead-acid battery workers are at higher risk for systemic diseases as well as oral diseases like dental caries.

The aim of this study was to assess selected salivary antioxidants and their relation with dental caries among lead acid battery factory workers in comparison with non-exposed group.

Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 35 subjects aged 35-45 year-old who worked in Babylon lead acid battery factory in Baghdad city and matching group that not exposed to lead were selected as a control.

Dental caries severity was recorded by using DMFS index, stimulated salivary samples were collected and analyzed for the measurement of salivary antioxidants (uric acid, total protein, catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes).

Results: The antioxidants levels (uric acid, catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes) were higher among the study group than the control group with non-significant difference for uric acid, highly significant difference for catalaseenzyme and significant for glutathione peroxidaseenzymes, whereas total protein level was significantly lower among the study group than the control.

Regarding dental cariesseverity, DMFS values were significantly higher among study group compared to that among control group.

All the correlations between salivary antioxidants and dental carries found to be weak non-significant for both groups.

Conclusions: Selected salivary antioxidants were found to have little effects dental caries of the study group, although dental caries revealed higher percentage of occurrence among lead exposed workers.

Therefore, special oral health preventive and educational programs are needed for them.-