[Contact dermatitis, due to (di)methacrylates, on the hands of dental personnel]

Eight dentists and one dental assistant have developed allergic contact dermatitis caused by exposure to (di)methacrylates, especially those found in resins, in dentin bonding agents, in rebasement and in prosthetic materials. The eczema is characterized by its location on the first, second and third finger of the left hand showing redness, desquamation, fissuring and excoriations. Patch testing with various test substances revealed positive reactions towards EGDMA in eight cases. It is suggested that this reaction was a cross-reaction and that the sensibilization was caused by MMA, TEGDMA, HEMA and/or BUDMA. One of the eight dentists had to give up practising.