Dental technicians' pneumoconiosis; illness behind a healthy smile – case series of a reference center in Turkey

Abstract

Background:Dental laboratories include many hazards and risks. Dental technicians working in an unfavorable work environment in Turkey and other parts of the world may develop pneumoconiosis as a result of exposure to dust, depending on exposure time. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory findings of dental technicians.Materials and Methods:The study consists of a case series. Between 2013 and 2016, a total of 70 who were working as a dental technician and referred to our clinic with suspicion of occupational disease were evaluated. Comprehensive work-history, physical examination complaints, functional status, chest X-ray, and high-resolution computed lung tomography (HRCT) findings were evaluated.Results:In all, 46 (65.7%) of the 70 dental technicians were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis. About 45 (97.8%) subjects were male and 1 (2.2%) was female. The mean age of starting to work was 15.89 ± 2.79 (11-23) years. The mix dust exposure time was 176.13 ± 73.97 (18-384) months. Small round opacities were most common finding. In 16 patients, high profusion being 2/3 and above were identified, and large opacity was detected in 11 patients. The radiological profusion had a weak negative correlation with FEV 1 and FVC (correlation coefficient − 0.18, P = 0.210 and − 0.058, P = 0704) and moderate negative correlation between radiological profusion and FEV1/FVC (correlation coefficient − 0.377, P = 0.010). In addition, no correlation was observed between the age at start of work and the duration of exposure.Conclusion:The presence of pneumoconiosis continues in dental technicians in Turkey, especially because there is an early childhood apprenticeship culture and almost all workers in this period have the history of sandblasting.

Factors Affecting Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Pneumoconiosis Cases: A Cross-sectional Study Between 2017 and 2022 in Turkey

“…This high concentration of dust not only causes the development of pneumoconiosis in a short exposure time but also poses a significant risk for the development of COPD. In addition, considering that 92% of the workers with pneumoconiosis working as dental technicians were found to have sandblasted at some time during the working process, it is an expected result that the development of COPD is higher in these cases 23 . In our study, one of the most risky occupational groups in terms of COPD development was determined as mine workers.…”

“…In addition, considering that 92% of the workers with pneumoconiosis working as dental technicians were found to have sandblasted at some time during the working process, it is an expected result that the development of COPD is higher in these cases. 23 In our study, one of the most risky occupational groups in terms of COPD development was determined as mine workers. The risk of emphysema and chronic bronchitis in mining has been well known for many years.…”

Effective use of an extraoral vacuum in preventing the dispersal of particulate matter from metal dental materials

“…7,8 Dental technicians often suffer from respiratory diseases such as pneumoconiosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma. [9][10][11][12][13] Moreover, PM originating from dental material has been detected in histopathological examinations of the lungs of dentists and dental technicians. 14 These reports indicate that dental professionals are at high risk of PM inhalation due to the grinding (cutting and polishing) of dental material.…”

“…Dental technicians often suffer from respiratory diseases such as pneumoconiosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma 9‐13 . Moreover, PM originating from dental material has been detected in histopathological examinations of the lungs of dentists and dental technicians 14 .…”

Diş Teknisyenlerinde İşitme Kaybı Riski Var mıdır? Bir Vaka Kontrol Çalışması

“…Many chemicals have been found in laboratories such as silica, butylene glycol, hexane, ethyl acetate, nitrocellulose, glutaraldehyde, benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone, corundum, bisphenol-A, kaolin, oxides of titanium, iron, boron, methyl methacrylate (MMA), triethyleneglycol di-methacrylate (TEGDMA), ethyleneglycol di-methacrylate (EGDMA), 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA), vitallium, wisil, duralium, and vironite (1). There is a risk of developing pneumoconiosis because of exposure to dust with high silica concentrations and cobalt, chromium and molybdenum (2). Also there is noise hazard in dental laboratories.…”