THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DENTAL CARIES AND SALIVARY CALCIUM AND PHOSPHATE LEVELS AMONG SOFT DRINKS FACTORY WORKERS

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between dental caries and salivary calcium and phosphate levels among soft drinks factory workers. A sample of 150 workers from a factory in the Middle East participated in the study. Dental caries were assessed using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, while unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected for the analysis of calcium and phosphate concentrations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and correlation analysis. Results showed a statistically significant difference in salivary calcium and phosphate levels between participants with and without dental caries (p<0.05). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between salivary calcium levels and DMFT index (r=-0.34, p<0.05) and a positive correlation between salivary phosphate levels and DMFT index (r=0.26, p<0.05). The findings suggest that salivary calcium and phosphate levels may be useful indicators of dental caries risk among soft drinks factory workers.

Keywords:

Dental caries, salivary calcium, salivary phosphate

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