Occupational health problems and adverse patient reactions in periodontics

The purpose of the present survey was to assess the nature and extent of adverse reactions to materials and procedures among personnel in periodontal practice and their patients. A questionnaire was mailed to practicing members of the Swedish Society of Periodontists. A total of 85, about 65%, responded together with 44 dental hygienists and 64 chairside assistants. 42% had experienced adverse reactions. The majority of complaints were related to dermatoses of the hands and fingers. The remainder were respiratory or eye reactions. A specifical problem characteristically involving the hygienists, was musculoskeletal stress reactions. Many of the dermatoses were of moderate severity, and were associated with seasonal, air-ventilation problems or were unexplained. The most severe reactions were reported by atopic persons. The reactions were attributed to hand washing procedures, the use of latex gloves and other disposable personal equipment such as face masks and caps. Reactions attributed to dental materials or local anaesthetics, characteristic of other reports from general dental practice, were absent. The survey indicated that personnel in periodontal practice have problems similar to many other categories of health personnel. Patient reactions were encountered at a frequency of 1 every other year per periodontist. The majority were intraoral reactions to chlorhexidine mouthrinses. Other patient reactions were associated with exposure to latex gloves, eugenol-containing periodontal packs, methacrylates and nickel-containing instruments. 2 instances of anaphylactoid reactions to latex gloves were encountered.