Investigating the Influence of Occupational Environment on Oral Diseases and its Implications for Work Performance

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19306
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57080:Social dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Asahikawa Medical College
• Principal Investigator: Sato Yukihiro 旭川医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (60824737)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 歯科産業衛生 / 歯科疾患

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we conducted a literature review on the association between work stress and oral diseases. We analysed 11 articles and found insufficient evidence for an association of work stress with dental caries and tooth loss. However, there was suggestive evidence of an association between work stress and poor periodontal status, although the evidence was limited. We, therefore, undertook a questionnaire survey and dental examination of 184 and 435 workers. Our results showed a significant association between work stress and poor periodontal status, while no association was observed between dental caries and tooth loss. We also showed that poor periodontal status was associated with lower work productivity.

Free Research Field

社会歯科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

労働者においても、う蝕や歯周病などの歯科疾患は有病率が高く、経済的負担も大きいことから、さらなる予防対策が求められている。しかしながら、これまで歯科疾患を引き起こすと考えられる職業環境要因や、歯科疾患による労働生産性の低下について調査した研究は少なかった。本研究結果により、産業衛生における歯科疾患の重要性を示唆できた。