title: Occupational contact allergic dermatitis in dentistry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental professionals may be at increased risk of developing occupational allergic diseases specially to methacrylates that can permeate protective disposable gloves.
  
  
  METHODS
  We presented a case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis in a 28-year-old dental technician. The patient had complained of itching and cracking of fingers for 6 months. The dermatitis improved over weekends. Skin erythema and scaling were present with primarily involvement of the fingertips. Patch testing with dental series gave positive vesicular reaction to methyl methacrylate. Follow-up after 6 months of allergen avoidance showed a complete regression of dermatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methacrylates serve as bases for acrylic resins which are used in prosthetics. Methyl methacrylate as a small molecular acrylate can permeate thin protective disposable gloves. Using adequate personal protective equipment, like nitrile rubber gloves, is the most important preventive measure in this occupation. Health practitioners should recognize possible occupational hazards in dentistry and implement appropriate preventive measures to protect health of workers.
authors.affiliation: University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Institute of Occupational Health, Novi Sad, Serbia. driva@eunet.rs
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mikov
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Turkalj
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jovanović
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003800:Dental Technicians; D003813:Dentistry; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D020366:Methylmethacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials; D020366:Methylmethacrylate