Association between occupational exposure to domestic solid waste and dental caries: a cross-sectional study

Studies have shown that domestic waste collectors are exposed to toxicants including infectious pathogens, which may be linked to their oral health conditions. This cross-sectional study evaluated the dental caries and its associated factors among domestic waste collectors. A total of 301 adult men who worked for a waste collection corporation were included; 171 men worked in direct contact with domestic solid waste and 130 did not. Sociodemographic data, working, and medical history were assessed. The decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index was examined. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with dental status with a significance level of 5%. The overall mean DMFT score was 8.36±5.64. The mean DMFT, missing teeth (MT), and filled teeth (FT) were significantly higher in workers who did not have any direct contact with waste (p≤0.04). In the logistic analysis, DMFT ≥8 was only associated with older age (OR=8.41 [95% confidence interval (95%CI), 5.01-14.12], p<0.001). Decayed teeth (DT) ≥2 was associated with no previous oral hygiene instruction (OR=2.70 [1.50-4.81], p=0.001) and no daily dental flossing (OR=4.26 [1.92-9.43], p<0.001). MT ≥9 was associated with lower education level (OR=3.33 [1.57-7.10], p= 0.002). FT≥3 had a negative association with low income (OR= 0.42 [0.25-0.70], p<0.001) and no daily flossing (OR=0.42 [0.23-0.76], p=0.004). In conclusion, occupational exposure to domestic solid waste was not associated with poor dental status. Instead, age, education, income level, and oral hygiene were associated with dental health status. Missing teeth constituted the major component of the DMFT index. Therefore, prevention and oral rehabilitation programs are necessary to improve dental health.