ABSTRACT
Expatriate workers are employed to work in various sectors in Saudi Arabia on a large scale. Even though various labour laws, schemes and policies are undertaken by the host country, oral health is not given the importance it deserves. This is reflected in factory workers having hidden adverse oral health issues which can hamper their working efficacy and, also their quality of life. In light of aforementioned we conducted this oral health status and treatment needs survey of factory workers in an industrial city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.METHODSThis was a cross-sectional survey study in which 119 males in the age group 18 to 64 years were included. World Health Organization (WHO) basic oral health survey form was used to extract data regarding the oral examination. The data were analysed using Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTSA significant association was seen between different age groups and mobility of teeth (p = 0.002), between education status and missing teeth (p = 0.032), between frequency of brushing and gingivitis (p = 0.009), between smoking habit and gingivitis (p = 0.000) and between smoking habit and missing teeth (p = 0 .010).CONCLUSIONThe results of the study showed that most of the factory workers had poor oral and dental health as a result of unawareness and lack of time to seek dental consultation. Primary oral health‑care programs like dental screening and oral health education at regular intervals should be made mandatory at factory premises, which will help them maintain their oral health, thus improving their quality of life.