Self-reported occupational dermatological reactions among Danish dentists

The aims of the study were to investigate the causes and prevalences of occupational dermatological reactions among Danish dentists. Questionnaires and telephone interviews with Danish dentists revealed that 37.8% reported skin reactions. In 27.2% of the cases the reactions were related to occupation, occurring with a point prevalence of 9.6%, and with a 1-yr period prevalence of 21.4%. The main causes were hand washing/soaps, latex gloves and (di)methacrylate-containing materials occurring at point prevalences of 7.1%, 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively. In addition, several other causes were reported, each occurring at relatively low frequency. Diagnosed allergic latex eczema was reported by 0.6%, but the frequency might be more than 2%, estimated on basis of reported symptoms. Allergic eczema caused by (di)methacrylate-containing materials was diagnosed among 0.7%, but estimated by the description of symptoms to be nearly 2%. The results urge for developing safer materials for dental use.