Analisis Hubungan Kadar Merkuri (Hg) dan Derajat Keasaman Saliva Terhadap Indeks DMF-T Pada Penambang Emas Skala Kecil di Desa Ramang Pulang Pisau - Frethernety, Agnes; Jelita, Helena; Nugrahini, Shinta; Alexandra, Francisca Diana; Jakung, Benedikta Cemara Raninai (Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan Indonesia, 2025)
Latar Belakang: Aktivitas penambangan emas skala kecil di sekitar Sungai Kahayan menyebabkan kontaminasi merkuri yang dapat masuk ke tubuh manusia melalui air atau makanan. Merkuri bersifat toksik dan dapat memengaruhi kondisi saliva, termasuk pH, yang turut berperan dalam proses terbentuknya karies gigi. Studi tentang hubungan langsung kadar merkuri dan keasaman saliva terhadap karies masih terbatas, khususnya pada kelompok penambang emas. Tujuan studi ini menganalisis hubungan kadar merkuri dan derajat keasaman saliva terhadap indeks DMF-T pada penambang emas skala kecil di Desa Ramang, Kecamatan Banama Tingang, Kabupaten Pulang Pisau.Metode: Jenis penelitian ini merupakan studi observasional analitik dengan pendekatan cross-sectional study dengan 30 Jenis penelitian ini adalah observasional analitik dengan desain cross-sectional yang dilakukan pada bulan Mei 2024. Sebanyak 30 responden penambang emas dipilih secara purposive sampling. Variabel kadar merkuri dalam saliva diukur menggunakan Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), pH saliva menggunakan pH meter digital, dan indeks DMF-T diperoleh melalui pemeriksaan klinis gigi. Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan uji korelasi Spearman.Hasil: Rerata kadar merkuri dalam saliva adalah 290,6 mg/L, yang tergolong sangat tinggi dibanding ambang batas aman dalam tubuh (20 mg/L). Rerata pH saliva sebesar 4,8 menunjukkan kondisi asam (pH < 5,5), dan indeks DMF-T sebesar 13,4 mengindikasikan tingkat kerusakan gigi yang sangat tinggi (DMF-T≥9,0). Hasil uji Spearman menunjukkan bahwa tidak terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara kadar merkuri dengan indeks DMF-T (p = 0,704) maupun antara pH saliva dengan indeks DMF-T (p = 0,403).Simpulan: Meskipun kadar merkuri dan pH saliva cukup bervariasi di antara responden, keduanya tidak memiliki hubungan signifikan dengan indeks DMF-T. Keterbatasan penelitian ini tidak memasukan faktor lain seperti pola makan dan kebersihan gigi yang dapat memengaruhi kejadian karies gigi pada penambang emas skala kecil di Desa Ramang, Kabupaten Pulang Pisau. ABSTRACT  Title: Correlation between Mercury (Hg) Levels and Salivary Acidity with DMF-T Index among Small-Scale Gold Miners in Ramang Village, Pulang Pisau RegencyBackground: Small-scale gold mining activities around the Kahayan River have led to mercury contamination, which can enter the human body through water or food. Mercury is toxic and can affect salivary conditions, including pH, which plays a role in the development of dental caries. Studies investigating the direct relationship between mercury levels and salivary acidity in relation to caries are still limited, particularly among gold miners. This study aims to analyze the relationship between mercury levels and salivary pH with the DMF-T index among small-scale gold miners in Ramang Village, Banama Tingang Subdistrict, Pulang Pisau Regency.Methods: This research is an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design conducted in May 2024. A total of 30 small-scale gold miners were selected through purposive sampling. Mercury levels in saliva were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), salivary pH was assessed using a digital pH meter, and the DMF-T index was obtained through clinical dental examinations. Data analysis was performed using Spearman's correlation test.Results: The average mercury level in saliva was 290.6 µg/L, which is considered very high compared to the safe threshold (20 µg/L). The mean salivary pH was 4.8, indicating an acidic condition (pH < 5.5), and the DMF-T index averaged 13.4, suggesting a very high level of dental caries (DMF-T ≥ 9.0). Spearman’s test showed no significant correlation between mercury levels and the DMF-T index (p = 0.704), nor between salivary pH and the DMF-T index (p = 0.403).Conclusion: Although mercury levels and salivary pH varied among respondents, neither showed a significant relationship with the DMF-T index. This study is limited by not accounting for other influencing factors such as dietary habits and oral hygiene, which may contribute to the occurrence of dental caries among small-scale gold miners in Ramang Village, Pulang Pisau Regency.