Search

Dentistry usually is 'wet work' with risk of damage to the skin barrier, and the hands may be exposed to skin irritants and contact-sensitizing substances used in dental materials or gloves. Airway irritants may also be present. This study assessed the consequences of work-related skin and airway symptoms among dentists in terms of contact with health authorities, sick leave, or changes in the professional career. A questionnaire on these factors was answered by more than 3000 Swedish dentists. Only 6% of the respondents had consulted a physician, although 22% had noted work-related skin symptoms. In 2% the skin symptoms had caused sick leave, and about 2% had reported their skin symptoms as an occupational disease. Two per cent had consulted a physician owing to work-related airway symptoms, which is a minor part of the 13% who had experienced such symptoms when in contact with dental materials. Twenty-five dentists (<1%) had been on sick leave because of work-related airway symptoms. Only 1 dentists reported change of activities or occupation owing to work-related skin or airway symptoms, and in most cases these symptoms only contributed to their decision. In summary, whereas sick leave in dentists because of musculoskeletal problems may be common, the present study shows that this is not the case for work-related skin or airway symptoms, and such symptoms seldom affect the dentists' professional career.

Background: During the 1980s routine wearing of gloves in dentistry was recommended by health authorities in several countries. However, prolonged glove use is associated with side-effects of irritant and allergic origin., Objectives: To investigate the extent of glove use and self-reported glove intolerance reactions among Swedish dentists, and to examine how far IgE-mediated allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) occurs in subjects who report rapid itching when in contact with protective gloves., Subjects/methods: A postal questionnaire was answered by 3083 of 3500 licensed dentists, a response rate of 88%. Of the dentists who reported rapidly occurring itching of the hands from gloves, 131 of 170 attended a clinical examination including a skin prick test (SPT) and a serological examination (RAST) for IgE-mediated allergy., Results: Seventy-three per cent of the dentists reported daily glove use of more than 2 h, 48% more than 6 h a day, and 6% reported no use. NRL gloves were used most frequently (P < 0.001) and were the main material that elicited symptoms (P < 0.001). Female dentists reported more frequent glove use than males, as did young dentists (P < 0.001) compared with older ones. Females also preferred vinyl gloves. Glove intolerance reactions were reported by 723 (23%) dentists, [females 28%, males 21% (P < 0.001)] and were more common in younger dentists. Of the 417 dentists with reported hand eczema during the previous year, 54% reported glove intolerance, compared with 20% of the dentists without hand eczema (P < 0.001). A logistic regression analysis including hand eczema, age, sex and atopy showed that all these factors contributed significantly to the risk of glove intolerance, and that hand eczema was a stronger factor than atopy. In 15 of 131 (11%) dentists examined for reported glove-related itch, latex allergy was verified by SPT and/or RAST. Glove-related conjunctivitis, rhinitis and asthma, in contrast to skin symptoms, showed a significant association with IgE-mediated allergy to NRL., Conclusions: Swedish dentists show good compliance with the recommendations for routine glove use. Intolerance reactions are frequently reported, especially by dentists with hand eczema, which emphasizes the need for preventive skin care programmes. Glove-related symptoms from mucous membranes showed a higher association with IgE-mediated allergy to NRL than reported itching of the skin, a fact that should be considered when composing screening questionnaires for NRL sensitization

Hand eczema and contact allergy in Swedish dentists were studied in a multidisciplinary project. The aims of the study were to establish diagnoses, to investigate the occurrence of contact allergy, in particular to (meth)acrylates, and to evaluate certain consequences of hand eczema. A postal questionnaire on skin symptoms, atopy and occupational experience was mailed to 3,500 dentists aged <65 years, and licensed 1965-1995. The response rate was 88%. Among dentists living in 3 major cities, 14.9% (n= 191) reported hand eczema during the previous year. They were invited to a clinical examination, including patch testing with a standard and a dental series. 158/191 (83%) dentists attended, and hand eczema diagnosis was confirmed in 149/158 (94%). Irritant contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 67% and allergic contact dermatitis in 28%. On patch testing, 50% presented at least 1 positive reaction. The most frequent allergens were nickel sulfate, fragrance mix, gold sodium thiosulfate and thiuram mix. 7 (5%) had positive reactions to (meth)acrylates, all to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 6 also to ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate. 38% had consulted a physician, 4% had been on sick-leave and 1% had changed occupational tasks due to hand eczema. No dentist with allergy to acrylates had been on sick-leave or changed occupation. It is concluded that dentistry is a high-risk occupation for hand eczema, and that irritant contact dermatitis is most common. The prevalence of contact allergy to acrylates was below 1% in the population of responding dentists, and in most cases did not have serious medical, social or occupational consequences.

Purpose: The aims of this thesis were: 1. To study the effect of water and pH on composite resin materials in vitro by assessing sorption, solubility, monomers eluted and flexural properties. 2. To study adverse effects on the skin in dentists possibly caused by acrylic resin-based materials., Materials and Methods: Proprietary composite resin materials were used for the in vitro experiments. The tests were performed according to the ISO 4049 (1988) with the exception of McIlvaine's solution used in Study II and the storage times. The analysis of eluted monomers was performed using HPLC. The flexural properties were tested in a three-point bending equipment. The secant modulus and deflection at break were calculated for description of the viscoelastic behaviour of the material tested. To study the adverse effects on skin in dentists, a questionnaire was sent to 3500 randomly selected Swedish dentists. A response rate of 88% was achieved and the data were statistically analysed and compared with the results of two studies on skin symptoms among the general Swedish population. Dentists living in the three main cities in Sweden who had experienced hand eczema during the last 12 months were invited to a clinical examination in which a patch test was included., Results: A wide range in sorption and solubility over the test period was found, with low sorption values observed for materials containing hydrophobic matrix monomers. A maximum concentration of monomers eluted was found after 7 days of storage, and TEGDMA was the main monomer released. pH affected the sorption and solubility behaviour for two of the three materials tested. The flexural strength and modulus of the composite resin material were lowered after water storage and the secant modulus and deflection at break could describe the viscoelastic behaviour. The prevalence of dry skin and hand eczema was high in dentists compared to two age-matched general population samples investigated using identical questions. The most important predictor for adult hand eczema was found to be childhood eczema. At the clinical examination, irritant contact dermatitis was the predominant diagnosis. Seven per cent reported skin symptoms when working with acrylic resin-based material but the true prevalence of hand eczema caused by acrylates was below 1%. Contact allergy was diagnosed, however, in 50% of the dentists, mainly due to other allergens such as nickel, perfumes or rubber chemicals., Conclusions: The matrix composition was shown to be important for the sorption and solubility behaviour of the composite resin materials tested and a maximum release of monomers occurred after 7 days of storage. pH affected the water sorption and solubility behaviour. Calculation of the secant modulus and the deflection at break allowed the plasticising effect of water on composite resin material to be observed. The prevalence of hand eczema was high among dentists, with irritant contact dermatitis as the predominant diagnosis. Childhood eczema was the most important predictor for adult hand eczema. The prevalence of hand eczema owing to acrylates was below 1%.

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.