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In this study we assessed the influence of pH and time on the degradation and elution of organic substances from the composite resin material, Z-100. To accomplish this, fluorescence spectrophotometry was evaluated as an appropriate technique for the identification of six organic substances (methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, hydroquinone, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol) that were eluted from resin composite material stored for 24 h or 6 months at pH 4.0, 6.0 or 8.0. In addition, complementary analyses (solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) were carried out to identify and quantify the substances. The main substances leached from the resin composite were methacrylic acid, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and hydroquinone. It was concluded that fluorescence spectrophotometry seems to be a suitable, non-destructive technique for the qualitative analysis of eluted organic components. Critical combinations of time and pH allowed the elution of several organic substances, predominantly methacrylic acid, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and hydroquinone, from the model resin composite, Z-100., (Copyright Eur J Oral Sci, 2004.)

In the present study we investigated the prevalence of self-reported hand eczema as well as subjective associations between skin symptoms and composite/bonding or other dental materials among Swedish dentists. A questionnaire on skin symptoms, atopy, occupational experience, and other background factors was sent to a random sample (n=3,500) of all dentists licensed since 1965. This group corresponds to about half of the country's occupationally active dentists. The response rate was 88%. The questionnaire had previously been validated against clinical dermatological examination of subjects reporting hand eczema. The prevalence of dry and rough skin on the hands was high (45%). Hand eczema during the previous 12 months was reported by 13.5%. Dry skin and hand eczema were more common among dentists than in two age-matched general population samples investigated using identical questions. The difference versus the general population was most pronounced (about two-fold) among male dentists. A history of childhood eczema was the most important predictor for adult hand eczema, with a prevalence ratio of 2.4 compared to dentists without childhood eczema. Seven % reported skin symptoms when working with acrylic resins, and 15% had experienced rapid itching related to protective gloves.