Substandard Oral Health and Treatment Needs among Blue-collar Workers in India: A Systematic Review

social standing, one's oral health should never be overlooked. 5Its importance affects our work and life balance.An individual's oral health status directly influences their daily habits, such as their appetite for food, emotional stability, and work productivity. 1,6,7ith the rise of the industrial era, the common people were more drawn toward the good pay and the other benefits associated with being part of the factory work, with neither the knowledge nor the understanding of the health-deteriorating environment that they were a part of.Understandably, every work environment has its IntroductIonThe term oral health refers not only to the absence of any diseases pertaining to the oral cavity but also to the overall well-being of the individual.It also allows him/her to carry out their day-to-day activities without any hassle.There is an underestimation of the impact that one's oral health can have on one's quality of life. 1 Despite having a wide population, various oral health issues are of major concern to the Indian population.The lack of awareness is presumed to be the major factor that leads to poor oral hygiene, resulting in the oral diseases that are observed today. 2 As we address a single person or a sector of society, they are always segmented and segregated into various grades based on their work, educational background, socioeconomic status, and so on.Among them, the ones who are always thought to do filthy, laborious, and demanding work as members of the manufacturing sector of society are deemed to be blue-collar workers. 3Even though society as a whole benefits from their service, blue-collar workers alone suffer the consequences.They have been exposed to adverse conditions and sustained severe oral health issues. 4Thus, at the end of the day, the oral health of blue-collar workers is often brushed off as insignificant, wreaking havoc on their quality of life.Consequently, it is crucial to understand that no matter one's