Oral health outcomes and shift working among male workers: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Working time outside routine daily working hours is known as shift working. Studies have shown adverse effects of shift working such as stress, obesity, and diabetes on the workers’ health. The aim of the present study was to compare aspects of oral health in shift workers and non-shift workers of a cement factory in Shahroud, Iran. Study population comprised of 180 male workers of the factory in the year 2015. Convenience sampling was continued until recruiting 180 subjects of shift- and non-shift workers. Data collection included oral health questionnaire, health and safety executive (HSE) questionnaire, and clinical oral examination. The Chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and generalized Poisson model were employed for statistical evaluation. Mean age of the workers was 39.19 (±9.48); 53% had educational level of less than diploma. Their mean DMFT was 12.89 (±5.75) which correlated with number of years in shift work schedule (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.41; p<0.001) but not correlated with job stress (Pearson correlation coefficient: -0.11; p = 0.12). Mean number of deep periodontal pockets among the workers was 5.03 (±1.84) that showed correlation with number of years in shift work schedule (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.33; p<0.001) but no correlation with job stress (Pearson correlation coefficient: -0.03; p = 0.68). Adherence to various oral health behaviors was reported by less than half of the workers. Positive correlation of dental caries and periodontal diseases with shift working partly signals negative impact of working conditions on oral health among this group of workers which calls for modifications in their working environment to facilitate health practices.