The purpose of the present investigation was to study the nature and frequency of adverse reactions to materials and procedures among orthodontists and their patients. A questionnaire about this topic was mailed to practicing members of the Norwegian Orthodontic Society, of which 137 (about 75%) responded together with 127 chairside assistants. About half of the orthodontic personnel had experienced adverse reactions. The majority of the problems were dermatoses, comprising dryness, redness, itching, thickening, reduced tactile sensitivity, fissuring, soreness/desquamation and pain of hands and fingers. The residual were respiratory reactions, eye reactions or reactions of a general nature. Many of the dermatoses were of moderate severity, attributed to (seasonal) air/ventilation associated problems. Other frequent causes were hand washing procedures, work involving composites and acrylics (orthodontists), or work involving model materials, alcoholic disinfectants, latex gloves, alignates etc. (assistants). For both groups the most severe dermatological reactions were associated with unspecified allergies, acrylics and composites. Non-dermatological reactions also reflected the different working pattern and exposure to materials in orthodontics; acrylic monomer topping the list. The orthodontists had observed 425 patients with dermal reactions and 67 patients with intraoral/systemic reactions, indicating a prevalence of about 1 per cent. Dermal reactions included redness, eczema, itching and fissuring in facial, neck or perioral areas, mostly attributed to metallic parts of extraoral appliances, with some exceptions (elastics, neck pillows, head caps). Intraoral reactions consisted of redness, soreness and swelling of the oral mucosa, gingiva and/or lips and were associated with metal brackets, labial wires, bonding procedures or acrylic appliances.
The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the reasons for changes in occupational health problems and patient reactions to orthodontic treatment after a survey carried out in 1987. Questionnaire data on occupation-related health complaints and patient reactions over the preceding 2 years were obtained from 121 of 170 Norwegian orthodontists (71 per cent). Most health complaints were dermatoses of the hands and fingers related to the processing of acrylic removable appliances, to composite bonding materials, or gloves. A few reactions were of a respiratory or systemic nature. In total, occupation-related dermatoses were reported by 17.4 per cent (21/121) compared with 40 per cent previously. Non-dermal complaints comprised 9 per cent compared with 18.2 per cent in 1987. Patient reactions were distributed equally between intra-oral reactions affecting lips, gingiva, oral mucosa, and tongue, and dermal reactions affecting the corner of the mouth, the dorsal part of the neck, the peri-oral area, cheeks, chin or skin elsewhere. A few patients had systemic reactions. The assumed eliciting agents of intra-oral reactions were fixed metallic appliances, acrylic removable appliances, polymer brackets or composite bonding materials, or were related to elastics. Extra-oral (dermal) reactions were attributed to metallic, elastic or textile parts of the extra-oral appliances. Some reactions were verified as allergies. The percentage of patient reactions in total was estimated to be 0.3-0.4 per cent compared with 0.8-0.9 per cent in 1987. The reduction in occupation-related health complaints among orthodontists was explained by changes in previously important hygiene factors such as soaps, detergents, etc., whereas the biomaterials-related reactions persisted. The reduction in the 2 year incidence of patient reactions was associated with a marked reduction in extra-oral reactions following preventive measures such as coating metallic devices, whereas the intra-oral reactions persisted at the same level as previously.
A questionnaire survey on health complaints experienced by personnel in public dentistry was undertaken in 1979 and repeated in 1988/89. The reply rates were about 80% and 83%. In both surveys, about one half of the personnel reported occupation-related health complaints, a majority of which were dermatoses of hands and fingers. The dermatoses were attributed to seasonal air quality problems, or to contact with chemically active substances relevant to hygienic measures, treatment patterns, or other activities connected with the running of a dental clinic. The majority of the dermatoses were probably irritative. Some presumably hypersensitivity reactions occurred after handling of dental materials. Latex gloves, which were in general use only at the time of the last survey, seemed to have prevented some dermatoses formerly attributed to handwashing procedures. However, latex gloves per se had also induced dermatoses. Non-dermatological ailments of a transient nature comprised eye, respiratory, or systemic reactions and were connected with volatiles from X-ray liquids, methylmethacrylate monomer, and disinfectants. Adverse patient reactions occurred at a frequency of about one per 2600 treated patients. The observations comprised skin reactions (head/face), gingival/mucosal ulcerations, and sometimes systemic/urticarial reactions. The reactions were associated with the use of local anesthetics, orthodontic appliances, and other biomaterials. Two reactions were related to contact with the dentists' latex gloves.
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