Hand eczema, skin exposure and glove use in dental technicians
B. Meding*1, S. Hosseiny2, K. Wrangsjö3, E. Andersson4, S. Hagberg4, K. Wass4,
K. Torén4, J. Brisman4
1National Institute for Working Life, Stockholm, Sweden
2Department of Dermatology, County Hospital, Gävle-Sandviken, Sweden
3Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Stockholm County Council and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
4Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
Background
The hands of dental technicians are exposed to skin irritants and contact allergens, e.g. (meth)acrylates. The objective of the study was to estimate the incidence of hand eczema in dental technicians and to elucidate occupational risk factors.
Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study among former dental technician students (n=2139) in Sweden. Controls comprised population controls (n=2288) with similar distribution of age and sex as the dental technicians. A mail questionnaire asked for occurrence of hand eczema including age of onset, occupational exposure and use of protective gloves. The response rate was 58% in both groups.
Results
In dental technicians the incidence rate of hand eczema was 7.1 cases/1000 person years in males and 10.8 in females during (meth)acrylate-exposed time. In controls the incidence rate of hand eczema was 1.9 in males and 4.6 in females. The relative risk (RR) for males was 3.7 (95% CI 2.4-5.6) and for females 2.4 (95% CI 1.7-3.3). 48% of the dental technicians and 30% of the controls reported more than 10 hand-washings/day (p<0.001). 80% of the dental technicians reported skin exposure to uncured (meth)acrylates, 14% daily. 87% had skin contact with grinding dust from (meth)acrylates, 43% daily. 39% used protective gloves when handling uncured (meth)acrylates, males 29%, females 48% (p<0.001). 58% did not know for how long the normally used gloves protected the skin against uncured (meth)acrylates.
Conclusions
The risk of hand eczema is more than doubled in dental technicians. The work involves frequent and unprotected exposure to (meth)acrylates and wet work. Education regarding skin protection is important.
Content last modified: 22 May 2005
