Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the dental treatment needs of workers depending on their shifts and working patterns. Methods: Only workers aged 15 or older according to the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015) were considered eligible. A total of 9,092 people who responded to health surveys and completed oral examinations and interviews were selected for the study. Statistical analysis was carried out by the complex samples general linear model. Results: As the daytime workers’ age increased, the requirement for restorative treatment decreased. In contrast, the requirement for tooth extraction caused by dental caries and periodontal disease increased. As the evening shift workers’ age increased, the requirement for restorative treatment decreased. In the case of shift workers, the requirement for restorative treatment was lowest in those aged 50–64 years and highest in those aged 30–49 years. In the case of smokers; the daytime workers required a higher amount of restorative treatment, pulpal treatment, and tooth extraction due to dental caries and periodontal disease; the night shift workers required a higher amount of restorative treatment; and the shift workers required a higher amount of tooth extraction caused by periodontal disease. The results of comparing the dental treatment needs depending on working patterns were: the need for restorative treatment was higher in night shift workers (0.377) than in shift workers (0.245); the requirement for pulpal and restorative treatment was higher in daytime workers (0.055) than in night shift workers (0.010); requirement for tooth extraction due to periodontal disease was higher in night shift workers (0.060) than in evening shift workers (0.012). Conclusions: There are differences in dental treatment needs depending on the workers’ working patterns. Collective oral health care is needed at workplaces to promote the workers’ oral health.
Figures & Tables
Table 1. The criteria used to assess the dental treatment needs
