Prevalence of self‐reported hand eczema and skin symptoms associated with dental materials among Swedish dentists

Abstract

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.

Work-related skin and airway symptoms among Swedish dentists rarely cause sick leave or change of professional career

“…A questionnaire on skin and airway symptoms, atopy, occupational experience, and other background factors was sent by mail to the 3500 dentists in 1996 (8). It included questions on whether the dentist had contacted a physician owing to work-related skin or airway symptoms, about sick leave caused by these symptoms, or about notification of occupational disease and whether the symptoms had caused changes of occupation or work tasks.…”

“…The hands are exposed to skin irritants and to contactsensitizing substances used in dental materials. Several reports of skin reactions to dental materials, especially acrylates, among dental personnel were published in the 1990s (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…We have recently reported the prevalence of selfreported skin symptoms in a large sample of Swedish dentists (8). The aim of the present study was to assess the consequences of work-related skin and airway symptoms among these dentists, in terms of contact with health authorities, sick leave, or changes in professional career.…”

Quantification of organic eluates from polymerized resin-based dental restorative materials by use of GC/MS

“…Several studies have shown that many of these compounds are leaching from the filling materials even after adequate polymerization [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. It is known that some of the ingredients in the resin-based materials have cytotoxic [8][9][10][11][12][13][14], genotoxic [12,13] or allergenic effects [15][16][17][18] and/or exhibit estrogenic activity in vitro [19,20]. By use of chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques, monomers and additives have been identified in aqueous and alcohol extracts of polymerized dental fillings [1][2][3][4][5][6]21].…”

Epidemiology of Contact Dermatitis

“…Few studies showed that the 1-year median prevalence of hand eczema in the general population was 9.7% (11.4% among women and 5.4% among men) and that the 1-year weighted average prevalence was 9.1% (10.5% among women and 6.4% among men) (Lantinga et al, 1984;Agrup, 1969;Peltonen, 1979;Menné et al, 1982;Kavli & Forde, 1984;Meding & Swanbeck, 1987;Meding & Jarvholm, 2002;Ortengren, 1999;Meding et al, 2001;Brisman J et al, 1998;Montnemery et al, 2005;Bo et al, 2008;Fowler et al, 2006;Hald et al, 2008;Svedman et al, 2007;Lind et al, 2007).…”