Use of gloves and prevalence of glove-related reactions in a sample of general dental practitioners in Italy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the use of gloves and to assess the prevalence of glove-related symptoms in a sample of Italian dentists with a high occupational exposure to latex gloves.


METHODS
A 31-question instrument was mailed to all dentists (n = 550) practicing in the town of Bologna during 1994 to determine the type of procedures for which gloves were worn by dentists and the prevalence of self-reported glove-related symptoms.


RESULTS
Of the dentists who replied to the items (n = 160), 94% reported that they usually wear nonsterile latex examination gloves; and 46% reported that they wear surgical gloves, even if not exclusively. About 98% reported changing gloves after contact with each patient, and 14% reported using disinfectants to treat examination gloves. Of the 106 respondents claiming to use examination gloves for surgical activities, 79 (74%) reported wearing them for extractions. Sterile surgical gloves were reported to be mostly worn for implant placement (47%) and periodontal surgery (42%). There were 46 (29%) responses indicating glove-related problems; of those subjects, 14 (30%) reported having other allergies.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of gloves is common in the sample of Italian dentists, and the choice between nonsterile examination gloves and sterile surgical gloves seems to be made appropriately.
Checchi
L
L
Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Bologna, Italy. lchecchi@alma.unibo.it
Gatto
M R
MR
Legnani
P
P
Pelliccioni
G A
GA
Bisbini
P
P
D003813:Dentistry; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires