DENTAL-HEALTH IN WORKERS PREVIOUSLY EXPOSED TO MERCURY-VAPOR AT A CHLORALKALI PLANT

Objectives-The dental health of 73 workers previously exposed to mercu ry vapour at a chloralkali plant was studied and compared with that of 51 nonexposed referents. Methods-A record of oral, periodontal, gingi val and mucosal conditions, including teeth, restorations, prostheses, and oral hygiene, was established during a 30 min examination. The pa rticipants' periodontaI conditions were assessed according to the comm unity periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN). The results with t he CPITN index were also compared with previously published data for a nother similar population. Results-There was no significant difference between the exposed workers and the referents with respect to the num ber of remaining teeth, amount of amalgam restorations, crowns, bridge s, or endodontically treated teeth. The oral hygiene among the exposed workers was significantly better than among the referents, but the pe riodontal health conditions did not significantly differ between the t wo groups, nor from those of another Norwegian population. Discussion- The present results seem to contradict previous reports claiming tooth loss as a possible result of exposure to mercury vapour.