DENTAL CARES EXPERIENCE AMONG TOBACCO CONSUMING TRUCK DRIVERS IN NORTH CHENNAI, INDIA

Background and Aim: Tobacco use is one of the greatest threats to global health today and it is high among the people of low socioeconomic status. Studies indicate that truck drivers who belong to the low socioeconomic class are at higher than average risk for tobacco related diseases. Therefore, a study was done to evaluate the effect of tobacco consumption on dental caries experience among truck drivers in North Chennai. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was done among 700 tobacco consuming truck drivers. Participants were interviewed and clinically examined to record the DMFT score (Decayed, missing, filled teeth) (according to WHO 1997 criteria). Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA was performed to determine the significance between the groups. Results Participants were categorised based on the type of tobacco use. The mean DMFT score [7.07 (+2.67)] was more among the smokers (Group 1). The tobacco chewers (Group 2) had the lowest mean DMFT score [6.55 (+2.38)]. The difference between the groups based on DMFT score was statistically significant (p value <0.05). Conclusions From this study, it was evident that tobacco consumption in any form, either smoking or chewing, appears to have a positive effect on caries experience.