HUBUNGAN ANTARA LAMA PAPARAN UAP BELERANG DENGAN DERAJAT EROSI GIGI : Studi pada Penambang Belerang di Gunung Ijen Kabupaten Banyuwangi Jawa Timur

Abstract

Abstracts background : Dental erosion is an irreversible damage of enamel or dentin due to chronic acid exposure. Erosion has many factors, but the length exposure of acid is known as the main factor. This study was designed to analyze correlation between length of sulphuric acid fumes exposure with severity of sulfur miner’s dental erosion at Mount Ijen, Banyuwangi, East Java. Methods: This study was an observational analytical study with cross sectional design. In this study we enrolled 30 sulfur miners who working at Mount Ijen in 2008. Inclusion criterias were sulfur miners aged 15-60 years old, not using tooth protector and not using tooth protheses while working. Exclusion criteria was subject unwilling to follow research procedure. History of sulfur exposure was obtained from interview. Based on direct examination, we determined dental erosion index. Bruxism and teeth brushing manner were confounding factors that we concerned about. Partial correlation test using Sperarman’s rank were performed to analyze data. Result: The partial correlation test of Spearman’s rank between the length of sulphuric acid fumes exposure and the dental erosion level which bruxism and teeth brushing manner as confounding factors shows significance value 0,001 and correlation coefisien value 0,596. Conclusion: There was a positive moderate significant correlation between length of acid fumes exposure and the dental erosion level at Sulfur Miner that works at Mount Ijen, althogh bruxism and teeth brushing manner was counted as confounding factors. Key words: dental erosion, length of exposure, acid fumes