Prevalence of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders among the Factory Workers of Wardha District

Abstract Introduction: India currently being the second largest populated country, India’s contribution to the global burden of tobacco-induced disease such as oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), leukoplakia, and oral lichen planus have the potential for malignant transformation. The objective was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of oral potentially malignant disorders among the factory workers. Materials and Methods: After obtaining the clearance from institutional ethical committee observational descriptive case–control study was conducted at Uttam Galva Steel factory. Group of factory workers who were available on the day of examination, not suffering from any systemic diseases and willing to give consent were included. Examination was done in mobile dental unit using all required diagnostic instrument. The entire data were recorded on the modified World Health Organization 1997 per forma. Results: Of 390 patients, 266 patients (93.84%) were habitual and 316 patients (81.02%) suffering from oral lesions. The prevalence of ulcer was 35.89%, leukoplakia 23.07%, oral lichen planus 1.02%, and OSMF was 52.82%. The prevalence of smoking was 7.69%, smokeless tobacco 34.35%, betel nut chewing 25.12%, tobacco quid keeping habit 42.56%, and alcohol 3.07%. Conclusion: Industrial workers are placed in complicated environment and constitute a defined group. Physically tedious work, drive, workers to consume alcohol and tobacco thus form the high-risk group. It is observed that these workers have increase prevalence of tobacco related habits. Such type of studies help in early diagnosis and prevention of tobacco related oral diseases.