Evaluating of Oral Cleanliness and Gingival Health Conditions of Two Specific Groups of Workers in Karbala City

Background Work environment has a direct effect on general as well as oral cleanness and gingival health conditions. Bakery industry deals primarily with flour which may affect the oral cleanness and gingival health conditions of workers. Aim of stud To assess and compare oral cleanness and gingival health conditions (PlI, CAlI and GI) of groups of workers producing bakery products, and control group of workers not concerned with flour. Materials and methods Study group consisted of thirty bakery workers in Karbala city. A matching control group of thirty workers in non-production lines in the same factories were selected. Plaque index of Silness and Loe, calculus index of Ramfjord, and gingival index of Loe and Silness were used for recording oral hygiene status. Results The finding revealed that the bakery group had higher mean values of plaque and calculus and gingival indices than the control group with statistically non-significant differences. Conclusion This study showed that bakery workers had higher levels of gingivitis, dental plaque and calculus. It was assumed that these findings were attributed to closer exposure of flour dust in addition to the low education.