Influence of cement dust exposure on periodontal health of occupational workers

Abstract

This study demonstrates the effect of cement dust on periodontal health among cement factory workers in Sudan. One-hundred exposed workers from Rabak Cement Factory and Algablain Quarry, besides 84 unexposed workers from Kosti River Transport Corporation were examined. The study was designed as retrospective cohort. The period of the study was three months. The exclusion and inclusion criteria were determined. A precoded pretested questionnaire was structured for collection of qualitative demographic and lifestyle characteristics. All objects were examined for the following clinical parameters: Tooth Wear (TW), Calculus (CAL), Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Depth (PD), and Gingival Recession (GR). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in TW and CAL were recorded between the exposed and exposed groups. The exposed workers showed more TW (84.85%) and CAL (95.96%) than the unexposed workers (TW 46.43% and CAL 77.38%). For PI, GI, PD, and GR, no significant differences were observed. Poor utilization of protective measures was observed; the users of the exposed group represented 16.8–29.5%. Accordingly, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in clinical variables between users and nonusers of protective measures were observed. Among those who did not use protective measures, almost all the clinical variables tended to increase. The clinical results for nonusers in the exposed group were as follows: PI 0.93–1.03, GI 1.00–1.12, PD 0.35–0.38, GR 1.42–1.51, CAL 1.29–1.40, and TW 1.83–1.99. This was also true for oral hygiene methods used; where the increase in clinical variables were associated with users of methods other than the toothbrush and Miswak (twigs of Salvadora persica tree). Interestingly, smoking was observed to have synergistic effect with cement dust exposure, which is in agreement with the current opinions in this regard.

Keywords:

• Cement industry
• occupational exposure
• environmental pollution
• periodontal health
• periodontal parameters
• clinical examinations

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors express their gratitude to Research Center of Advanced Materials, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, for support (award number 001/20).