The Prevalence of Traumatic Dental Injuries Due to Workplace Safety Accidents among Korean Workers by Occupational Group

Abstract

Introduction: This study examines the prevalence experience of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) due to workplace safety accidents by occupation among Korean workers. Furthermore, identify occupation-specific risk factors, providing essential data for formulating workplace safety policies and TDI prevention strategies. Methods: Data from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII and VIII (2016–2020) were analyzed for 16,588 adults aged 19–54 years, selected from 39,738 participants to represent the active working population in Korea. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors and covariates. Results: Thirteen percent of participants reported TDIs, with 7.3% attributed to work-related accidents. Manual laborers, particularly plant and machine operators and assemblers, had the highest TDI rate (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20–1.94). Significant disparities in work-related TDIs were observed between agriculture, forestry, and fishery workers compared to industrial plant workers. Among manual laborers, plant and machine operators and assemblers showed an adjusted OR of 1.53 (95% CI = 1.20–1.94). Moreover, the level of education was found to be a significant contributing factor to the previously mentioned differences in experience rates. Conclusion: Manual workers exhibit a higher vulnerability to experiencing TDIs in workplace compared to nonmanual workers, and this association is significantly impacted by their educational attainment. Therefore, to enhance the oral health of workers confronting economic and time restrictions, policies and interventions targeting the enhancement of their working conditions should be implemented.

Keywords

• accidents
• cross-sectional study
• occupation
• traumatic dental injury