OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES AND SELF-ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HEALTH: RESULTS OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH SURVEY 2013

Abstract

Exposure to chemicals in the work environment has been associated with oral conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the association between handling chemical products and self-rated oral health in a sample of Brazilian workers. A cross-sectional study used data from the National Health Survey (PNS), carried out in 2013, in Brazil. The sample consisted of 36,442 workers of both sexes and aged ≥18 years. Socioeconomic, demographic, occupational, lifestyle and health status characteristics were described. For the perception of oral health, the outcome variable was considered. For occupational exposure to chemicals, the explanatory variable. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were developed using the Stata version 12.0 statistical program. Age, race/color and region of residence were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of negative self-rated oral health. Higher prevalence of negative self-assessment of oral health among individuals exposed to chemical products (PR=1.15[1.10-1.21] for males and PR=1.23[1.16-1.31] for the women). These associations remained significant in the multivariate model for both sexes. In conclusion, there is a higher prevalence of negative perception of oral health among workers exposed to handling chemical products in the workplace.

Keywords

• occupational health
• occupational exposure; public health dentistry
• dental health surveys
• cross-sectional studies