Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Oral Cavity Organs and Tissues in Workers of the Petrochemical Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the dental status, level, and structure of dental diseases, as well as to identify some clinical and functional deviations in the organs and tissues of the oral cavity among workers in certain industrial enterprises. Methodology: A comprehensive dental examination was conducted on 1600 individuals, including 420 from the Fergana Oil Refinery Plant (FNPP - main group (MG)-1), 425 from the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Plant (AGMK - MG-2), and 605 from the Navoi Chemical Plant (NavCP - MG-3), as well as 150 patients as a control group (CG) who visited a dental clinic. Tooth sensitivity (TS), pain and discriminatory sensitivity (PS and DS) of the oral mucosa, taste perception threshold, and functional mobility of the taste receptors on the tongue, enamel resistance to caries, microhardness (MH) of enamel and dentin, and the condition of periodontal tissues and pH of mixed saliva were determined. The data obtained were processed using statistical methods. Findings: It was determined that the levels and relative weights of the main dental diseases among workers in the studied industries remain quite high; carious and non-carious lesions of the tooth hard tissues, deformation and defects of teeth and dental rows (18.5%), periodontal tissue diseases (74.7%), diseases of the oral mucosa - 38.7%; the need for prosthetics (58.4%) and other pathologies. Additionally, almost all clinical and functional indicators and local non-specific reactivity of the tissues of the oral cavity in workers were disrupted. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The presence of the main dental diseases among those surveyed from the studied groups is quite high, with noted reductions in the excitability threshold of teeth, around tooth tissues and the oral mucosa, disruption of PS and DS of the oral mucosa, as well as deterioration of the condition of tooth hard tissues. Based on the obtained results, the authors suggest continuing in-depth scientific research with the aim of developing effective methods for the diagnosis and prevention of dental diseases among workers in these industries.