Occupational exposure to airborne proteolytic enzymes and lifestyle risk factors for dental erosion - a cross-sectional study

This study examined the hypothesis that occupational exposure to airborne p roteolytic enzymes is associated with dental erosions on the facial surface s of exposed teeth. Individuals (n = 425) working at a pharmaceutical and b iotechnological enterprise (Novozymes A/S) were examined; their mean age wa s 35 years (range = 18-67 years) and 143 (34%) were women. Two hundred and two of these individuals were newly employed by the company. Occupational e xposure was assessed from questionnaire and workplace information. For prac tical analytical purposes, individuals were categorized as either previousl y exposed to proteolytic enzymes or not. Information on relevant lifestyle factors and medical history was obtained from a questionnaire. The main eff ect measure was facial erosion, but lingual erosion indices and the presenc e of Class V restorations were also considered. The validity of these measu res was shown to be very high. Adjusted for potential confounders, there wa s no association between history of occupational exposure to proteolytic en zymes and prevalent facial or lingual erosion. With respect to prevalence o f Class V restorations, the association was significant. The present study did not support directly our primary hypothesis that occupational exposure to airborne proteolytic enzymes is associated with dental erosions on the f acial surfaces of exposed teeth. However, the results indicate that exposur e to proteolytic enzymes may lead to pronounced tooth substance loss, deman ding treatment.