Erosion of tooth enamel surfaces among battery chargers and automobile mechanics in Ibadan: a comparative study

Abstract

A cross sectional comparative survey was conducted among battery chargers and automobile mechanic s in Ibadan to determine the effect of exposure of acid in form of solution or fumes on tooth enamel wear One hundred and five subjects were recruited and examined for erosion. This number comprised 6 7 automechanics and apprentices and 38 battery chargers and their apprentices. Other groups of automobile workers sharing the workshops were excluded from the study. All respondents aged between 11 and 68 years of age. Verbal informed consent was taken from all the subjects. One thousand and one hundred teeth were examined using the upper and lower central sextants. One hundred and sixty teeth were found to be missing. The teeth examined comprised 712 teeth of automechanics (88.55%) and 388 teeth of battery chargers (85.08%). Out of the 712 teeth of automechanics, only 23 teeth (3.2%) showed evidence of tooth wear whereas in the battery chargers group, 159 teeth out of 388 teeth (41%) had tooth wear. (P < 0.05). The battery charger group also showed a higher percentage of missing teeth, (14.9%) as against 11.44% of the automechanic group (P > 0.05). This study has shown that battery chargers are subjected to occupational hazard of exposure to highly erosive acids and fumes. Prevention through oral health education targeted at this group of subjects and early diagnosis are very important.