Factors Associated with Untreated Decayed Teeth in Male Sales Workers: An Internet Survey.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with untreated decayed teeth (DT) in male sales workers. The participants were recruited by screening a pool of Japanese registrants in an online database for eligibility for inclusion in the study. Between 20 February 2015 and 11 March 2015, those deemed eligible were asked to complete a questionnaire on the status of their oral health. Responses from a total of 142 male sales workers aged between 30 and 49 years were analyzed. Of these, 40 reported DT and 102 no untreated decayed teeth (NDT). The percentage of participants with DT was higher than that with NDT among night shift workers (p<0.001). A higher percentage of participants with DT reported pain when eating or drinking something cold (p=0.041), pain in the teeth or gingiva (p<0.001), or frequent stomatitis (p=0.030). A higher percentage of participants with DT reported eating between meals (p=0.027) and a lower percentage visiting a dental clinic in the past 6 months (p=0.017) compared with among participants with NDT. Those with NDT were more likely to report an inability to visit a dental clinic when they wanted to (p=0.033), but those with DT were more likely to report that their reasons for not visiting a dental clinic were that multiple visits were required for treatment (p=0.012) or that they did not like the treatment (p=0.005). Working the night shift (Odds Ratio [OR], 3.492; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.347-8.725) and visiting a dental clinic in the past 6 months (OR, 0.084; 95%CI, 0.010-0.733) were identified as independent variables correlated with leaving DT untreated. Requiring oral health education and dental checkups at least once every 6 months may have a positive effect on oral health among male sales workers, especially those doing night shifts.