Latex reactions in an adult dental population

A review of the medical histories of 300 adult patients presenting for emergency dental care at a dental college revealed no individuals who identified themselves as allergic to latex. A 32-item survey was distributed to adult dental patients receiving care at the dental school. 323 patients volunteered to complete the questionnaire. 3.7% of the patients reported adverse reactions associated with wearing latex gloves. However only 8.8% of the patient population reported work-related latex glove use. The reported incidence of sensitivity to latex products such as rubber dam material and condoms was equal to that associated with gloves, and slightly lower in the case of enema tips (2.8%) and balloons (2.5%). Sensitivity to rectal and/or vaginal examination with latex gloves was reported by 5.5% of the population. Predisposing factors to reported latex sensitivity found to be significant (P < .01) included a history of eczema and a familial history of allergies. No significant differences were found with regard to age or gender. Only two individuals reported severe systemic symptoms related to latex exposure. Data suggest that careful questioning of patients regarding a history of sensitivity to multiple latex-based products can facilitate the identification of possibly latex sensitive individuals, thus preventing latex-related allergic reactions in the dental operatory.