Donghun Han
Seoul National University, South Korea
Title: The association between tooth injury and occupational characteristics among Korean representative population
Biography
Biography: Donghun Han
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Tooth injury is an important health issue. Despite the major health impact of tooth injury, it has drawn relatively little attention among health-related concerns. This study aims to investigate the association between the tooth injury experience rate and occupational status based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: From the KNHANES conducted in 2019, we estimated the tooth injury experience rate according to occupational status of 6,139 participants. Setting the tooth injury experience rate as a dependent variable and occupational status as an independent variable, we performed logistic regression to calculate odds ratios reflecting the likelihood of injury according to occupational status while controlling for relevant covariates.
Findings: 786 participants had tooth injury experience over the past 1 year. Among occupational groups, the craft, equipment, machine operating, and assembling workers showed the highest rate (16.3%) of tooth injury experience, and the lowest rate (11.2%) was found in the elementary workers group. Among employment type, the daily workers showed the highest rate (14.8%) of tooth injury experience, and the lowest rate (9.8%) was found in the family business without pay. Among working type, the night work showed the highest rate (17.5%) of tooth injury experience, and the lowest rate (10.0%) was found in the evening work. After adjusting for the confounding variables, the experience of tooth injury was attenuated and only daytime workers significantly related to tooth injury (OR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.01-1.45).
Conclusion & Significance: The tooth injury experience rate differed depending on the working status. A higher rate of tooth injury experience was found in working time in comparison to the no work within past 1 year group. This study would be useful in selecting appropriate priorities for tooth injury management in Korea.