Effectiveness of an Oral Health Program Among Brazilian Oil Workers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of an oral health program among Brazilian oil workers, Bahia. The program consists in an annual consultation, with and an occupational dentist and oral health technicians, performing oral examination, in addition to having access to plaque and gingival indices obtained in the exam. The Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) was used, as well as the “Quality of oral hygiene”, “Periodontal disease”, “Systemic Arterial Hypertension” (SAH) and “Diabetes Mellitus” (DM) questionnaires. The reduction of periodontal disease was associated with the improvement of oral hygiene quality, with a positive impact in the reduction of the probability to develop high blood pressure and DM. The oral health promotion programme was effective in keeping or maintaining good oral health among workers, also resulting in savings to the company.