Job characteristics and the subjective oral health of Australian workers

Abstract

Abstract Abstract: The way in which work is structured and organised is associated with the health and well‐being of workers. Objectives: To examine the associations between hours worked, job security, skill maintenance and work and home interference and subjective oral health; and to compare findings for different occupational groups. Methods: Data were collected in 1999 from a random stratified sample of households in all Australian States and Territories using a telephone interview and a questionnaire survey. Subjective oral health was evaluated with the short form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14), which assesses the adverse impact of oral conditions on quality of life. Results: Data were obtained for 2,347 dentate adults in the workforce. In the 12 months preceding the survey, 51.9% had experienced oral pain and 31.0% reported psychological discomfort from dental problems. Males, young adults, Australian‐born workers, and those in upper‐white collar occupations reported lower mean OHIP‐14 scores (ANOVA p40 hours a week was associated with higher OHIP‐14 scores for other workers. Conclusions: Aspects of the work environment are associated with the subjective oral health of workers. Because these contexts are subject to only limited control by individual workers, their influence is a public health issue.