Respiratory morbidity in a population of French dental technicians.
OBJECTIVE
To compare wage earner dental technicians with non-exposed salaried subjects for the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and function, and chest x ray abnormalities.


METHODS
A total of 134 dental technicians and 131 non-exposed subjects participated. A medical and an occupational questionnaire were filled in to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and occupational exposures. Subjects underwent respiratory tests and chest x ray examination.


RESULTS
Mean age of the dental technicians was 36.6 years with a mean duration of dental work of 16.5 years. There was a significant risk of cough (day and night) and usual phlegm in dental technicians. Respiratory function parameters were lower in dental technicians with a significant difference between exposed and non-exposed groups for % FVC (forced vital capacity), % FEF(25) (forced mid expiratory flow), and % FEF(50). The prevalence of small opacities increased with age. Small opacities were significantly related to an exposure to asbestos in the past.


CONCLUSIONS
Our young population of dental technicians is at risk of respiratory morbidity. They should benefit from adequate technical prevention measures.
Radi
S
S
Association Comtoise Interprofessionnelle de Médecine du Travail, 5 A rue Victor Sellier, 25041 Besançon Cedex, France. samiaradi@aol.com
Dalphin
J C
JC
Manzoni
P
P
Pernet
D
D
Leboube
M P
MP
Viel
J F
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003800:Dental Technicians; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates / Q000502:physiology; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
D003764:Dental Materials