Prevalence of self-reported hand eczema and skin symptoms associated with dental materials among Swedish dentists.
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.
Ortengren
U
U
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry/Dental Materials Science, Göteborg University, Sweden. ortengren@odontologi.gu.se
Andreasson
H
H
Karlsson
S
S
Meding
B
B
Barregård
L
L
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003813:Dentistry; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004485:Eczema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D000180:Acrylic Resins