Oral impacts on daily performances in white-collar port workers in Nellore, India - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Oral diseases not only cause pain, but severely impair large number of individuals and can affect various aspects of life, including oral functions, appearance and interpersonal relationships. The aim of the study was to assess the interrelationship between oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) scores, socio-demographic characteristics, dental caries experience and periodontal status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study was conducted on a sample of 250 white-collar port workers who were willing to participate. OIDP was assessed using pre-validated questionnaire. Oral health status was assessed using modified World Health Organisation (1997) Proforma. Test of association was conducted between the OIDP score, socio-demographic variables, and periodontal status; loss of attachment was determined by using chi-square statistics and Mann-Whitney test. Logistic regression was performed to identify significant predictors of OIDP scores by inputting clinical oral examination variables into the equation, stepwise.

RESULTS: A total of 250 white-collar workers in the port participated in the study with mean age of 34.67 ± 6.36. Among them, 219 were males and 31 were females. The OIDP items most commonly affected by oral health status were eating and enjoying food (48.4%), cleaning teeth (48%), sleeping and relaxing (44.4%).There was statistically significant relationship between missing teeth in the decayed missing filled teeth component and OIDP score (p < 0.001). The participants with caries have a greater odd (2.11) of having OIDP score ≥ 1 than those without caries. The participants with missing teeth have a greater odd (3.60) of having OIDP score ≥ 1. The participants in the age group of 31-40 years had a greater odd (2.80) of having OIDP score ≥ 1.

CONCLUSIONS: Oral health had an impact on the quality of life of white-collar workers in the port. Physical functions of teeth like eating and cleaning of teeth, sleeping and relaxing were more affected.