Comparison of the oral health problems and behavior of male daytime-only and night-shift office workers : An Internet survey

[Abstract]: [Objective]: The aim of this study was to compare the oral health problems and behavior of full-time male daytime-only and night shift office workers. [Methods]: The participants were recruited by applying screening procedures to a pool of Japanese registrants in an online database. During the period of 20 February 2015 to 11 March 2015, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their oral health. A total of 325 daytime-only workers and 351 workers who sometimes worked night shifts, ages 30 to 69, were analyzed in this study. [Results]: Overall, the mean number of teeth of the night shift workers was lower than that of the daytime-only workers (p=0.002). When analyzed by age group, a significant difference was seen in the 50-69 age group (p=0.016). The percentage of night shift workers with decayed teeth was higher than that of the daytime-only workers (p25 (OR, 1.56; 95%Cl, 1.02-2.39). [Conclusions]: These results indicate a relationship between night shift work and oral health problems. Night shift workers may require additional support for oral health maintenance.