Study of Workplace Oral Health Practices Among Factory Workers in Kano Industrial Estate

Occupational exposures in industrial environments can adversely affect oral health, and studying oral hygiene practices and dental disease among factory workers in Kano provides evidence for occupational dental health programming. This study examined oral hygiene practices and clinical oral health status among factory workers at the Kano Industrial Estate, Kano State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of 310 workers from five manufacturing plants was conducted. A structured questionnaire assessed toothbrushing frequency, chewing stick use, snack habits during work breaks, and dental visit history. Clinical examination recorded DMFT, gingival index, and any visible oral lesions. Results showed that chewing stick use as the sole oral hygiene aid was practised by 38.7 percent, while 46.5 percent used conventional toothbrush and paste. Twice-daily brushing was reported by only 29.0 percent. Workers consuming sugary drinks during breaks showed significantly higher caries rates. The mean DMFT was 3.21. Workers exposed to acidic aerosols in chemical manufacturing showed clinically apparent acid erosion on palatal surfaces (12.3 percent). Professional dental visits were reported by only 17.1 percent in the preceding two years. Protective equipment compliance was low at 34.2 percent. Recommendations include employer-sponsored oral health screening days, provision of dental health kits, workplace dental health education campaigns, and regulation of acid aerosol exposure with appropriate respiratory and oral protective measures in Kano industrial settings.

Keywords: workplace oral health, factory workers, Kano Industrial Estate, occupational dental health, DMFT