A Review of Mercury Exposure and Health of Dental Personnel

Abstract

Considerable effort has been made to address the issue of occupational health and environmental exposure to mercury. This review reports on the current literature of mercury exposure and health impacts on dental personnel. Citations were searched using four comprehensive electronic databases for articles published between 2002 and 2015. All original articles that evaluated an association between the use of dental amalgam and occupational mercury exposure in dental personnel were included. Fifteen publications from nine different countries met the selection criteria. The design and quality of the studies showed significant variation, particularly in the choice of biomarkers as an indicator of mercury exposure. In several countries, dental personnel had higher mercury levels in biological fluids and tissues than in control groups; some work practices increased mercury exposure but the exposure levels remained below recommended guidelines. Dental personnel reported more health conditions, often involving the central nervous system, than the control groups. Clinical symptoms reported by dental professionals may be associated with low-level, long-term exposure to occupational mercury, but may also be due to the effects of aging, occupational overuse, and stress. It is important that dental personnel, researchers, and educators continue to encourage and monitor good work practices by dental professionals.

Mercury levels in hair samples of dentists: A comparative study in Sri Lanka

“…Therefore, the values of both groups were well below 10 ng/mL (10 ppb), within the concentrations considered as normal. The results of the present study are supported by other published studies, such as that of Nagpal et al In their study, although dental personnel had higher mercury levels in biologic fluids and tissue than in the control groups, and some work practices increased mercury exposure, the exposure levels remained below hazardous levels …”

Annual review of selected scientific literature: A report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

“…A review of occupational hazard literature was published which included 15 publications between 2002 and 2015. 314 In several references, dental personnel had higher mercury levels in biological fluids and tissues than controls, but in all cases, these exposure levels were below recommended guidelines as in the previously cited study.…”

Neurotoxic effects of mercury exposure in dental personnel

“…Research shows that dental personnel report more health problems, particularly from the CNS, compared with control groups . In a Swedish study of seven deceased dentists and a deceased dental assistant, high Hg concentrations were detected in several parts of their brains .…”