Oral Health of Stone Mine Workers of Jodhpur City, Rajasthan, India

• Main Authors: Jitender Solanki, Sarika Gupta, Sachin Chand
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2014-09-01
• Series: Safety and Health at Work
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791114000407

Background: Occupational injuries cause major health problems, which the developed, developing, and underdeveloped nations worldwide are facing today. The present study aimed to assess dental caries, periodontal health of stone mine workers, and the relationship between wasting diseases and the years of working experience. Methods: The study population comprised 510 men, selected based on the stratified cluster sampling procedure. Clinical oral examinations were carried out, and periodontal disease, dental caries, and wasting diseases were recorded. Results: Workers were in the age group of 17–56 years; the prevalence of dental caries in the workers was found to be 74%, with a mean decayed, missing, filled teeth index of 2.89. A periodontal pocket of more than 6 mm was observed in 6% of the workers. Conclusion: The oral health of mine workers is in a poor state; steps should be taken so as to provide basic medical and dental care facilities.