Epidemiology of hand dermatitis in dental personnel

Dental personnel are prone to frequent bouts of hand dermatitis. This has been attributed to hand washing, occupational exposure to a multitude of possible sensitizers, and frequent latex glove use. There has been some conflict in the literature as to the true frequency of allergic contact dermatitis in dental personnel.

The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the frequency of allergic contact dermatitis and contact urticaria in a large group of Air Force dental personnel.

Four hundred forty-nine dental personnel were surveyed for hand dermatitis. Positive responders were interviewed and examined. Patients with histories most consistent with allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested to a standard and a dental tray.

Of the 449 personnel completing our survey, 169 had a positive history of hand dermatitis. One hundred twenty of these were interviewed and examined, of which 27 patients gave a history most consistent with allergic contact dermatitis and were subjected to patch testing. Only 3 patients had relevant positive reactions to the allergens on the standard or dental trays. All others (93) were diagnosed with irritant contact dermatitis. None had contact urticaria to latex.

The frequency of hand dermatitis in our dental personnel is consistent with that in other published studies (37.6%). The majority of hand dermatitis occurring in this group is due to irritant contact dermatitis; the frequency of allergic contact dermatitis is very low (0.67%). None had contact urticaria.