Dental caries, oral hygiene status and deleterious habits among migrant construction workers of Belagavi, India

Background: Occupation significantly influences oral health, with factors like the work environment, stress levels, access to dental care, and job-related habits playing crucial roles. The oral health of construction workers, especially migrant workers, is a noteworthy concern. Understanding the oral health of this population is crucial for enhancing their quality of life through various means. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, and deleterious habits in this occupational group of Belagavi district, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: Study design was cross-sectional in nature. After a pilot study, multi-stage random sampling technique was employed, and 610 participants were recruited. Trained and calibrated examiners recorded WHO dentition status and treatment needs (2013) and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S). Collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Prevalence of dental caries among construction workers was significantly higher (81%) and 36.9% had poor oral hygiene. Prevalence of smoking, tobacco chewing habit, and alcohol consumption among the construction workers was found to be 21.6%, 59.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The dependence of OHI-S and DMFT on age, gender, and habits such as smoking, tobacco chewing, and alcohol consumption was found to be 21.5% and 39.6%, respectively. Conclusion: Migrant construction workers in Belagavi had a high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene status, and a high prevalence of deleterious habits such as tobacco use. These results emphasize the necessity of awareness and dental health education programs to improve the oral health of construction workers.