Oral Health Disparities and Their Impact on Daily Performance Among Migrant Construction Workers in Chennai: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Migrant construction labourers often face challenging working conditions, low income and inadequate access to healthcare, including dental services. These factors contribute to significant oral health issues that impair daily activities such as eating, speaking and social interactions. This study aims to assess the Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) among migrant construction workers in Chennai, identify associated covariates and recommend targeted interventions. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 108 migrant construction labourers in Chennai using a structured questionnaire to assess oral health status and OIDP. The questionnaire collected demographic data, oral hygiene practices and self-reported oral health issues. The OIDP scale evaluated the impact of oral problems on daily tasks like eating, speaking and sleeping. ANOVA and Student’s T-test were used to examine associations between OIDP and covariates such as age, gender, education and occupation. Special focus was placed on socioeconomic factors and healthcare access. Results: The study found no significant correlation between the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S) and OIDP scores (p = 0.237). However, higher Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores, tooth loss and periodontitis significantly correlated with increased OIDP scores. Workers without dental decay had a mean OIDP score of 0.907, while those with severe decay (DMFT >9) scored 8.355 (p = 0.000). Workers with 7-9 missing teeth had the highest mean OIDP score of 18.389 (p = 0.000). Periodontitis also showed a significant association (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Migrant construction workers in Chennai face serious oral health issues that impact their daily performance. Socioeconomic barriers and limited healthcare access play a key role. Policymakers must address these challenges by introducing affordable dental care programs, awareness campaigns and integrating oral healthcare into primary healthcare services to improve their quality of life.