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Respiratory morbidity in a population of French dental technicians
S Radi1, J C Dalphin, P Manzoni
1Association Comtoise Interprofessionnelle de Médecine du Travail, 5 A rue Victor Sellier, 25041 Besançon Cedex, France. samiaradi@aol.com
Aims:
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.