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Published on: March 29, 2018
Occupational exposure in dentistry and miscarriage
Marja-Liisa Lindbohm1, Pekka Ylöstalo, Markku Sallmén
1Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. marja-liisa.lindbohm@ttl.fi
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|October 21, 2006
Summary
Dental workers exposed to mercury amalgam, solvents, and disinfectants showed a slightly increased risk of miscarriage. While no strong associations were found, these occupational exposures warrant further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Reproductive toxicology
- Environmental medicine
Background:
- Limited data exists on reproductive health effects from chemical exposures in dental settings.
- Dental professionals face potential exposure to various chemicals, including mercury amalgam, solvents, and disinfectants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the risk of miscarriage among women dental workers exposed to specific chemical agents.
- Investigate potential links between occupational exposure to acrylate compounds, mercury amalgam, solvents, and disinfectants and miscarriage risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving women dental workers and an unexposed comparison group.
- Pregnancy outcomes were obtained from national registers and hospital records.
- Occupational exposure was assessed via questionnaires and expert evaluation, with logistic regression used for analysis.
Main Results:
- A slightly increased risk of miscarriage was observed with exposure to mercury amalgam (OR 2.0 for moderate exposure).
- Elevated risks were also noted for exposure to certain acrylate compounds, organic solvents, and disinfectants.
- No strong, consistent dose-response relationships were identified for most chemical exposures.
Conclusions:
- A definitive strong association between dental chemical exposures and miscarriage risk was not established.
- However, a potential weak association between mercury amalgam, acrylate compounds, solvents, disinfectants, and increased miscarriage risk cannot be ruled out.
- Further research is recommended to clarify the reproductive risks associated with dental occupational exposures.
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