The Prevalence of Latex Gloves – Related Complaints Among Dental Student

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Latex gloves are a frequent cause of complaints in dental staff, which complaints may start during the student education.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of latex gloves-related complaints among dental students and to establish the etiology of these problems.Material and Methods: 122 dental students completed a questionnaire. Those with latex glove-related complaints were evaluated for latex sensitivity by assessment of skin prick test and for cell-mediated sensitivity to rubber additives and occupational hazards by assessment of patch test.Results: 8.2 % of dental students had skin hand complaints wearing latex gloves. 3 of them (30 %) showed a positive skin prick to latex and 1 of them (10 %) showed a positive patch test to rubber additives.Conclusions: Dental students are at risk to develop occupational hypersensitivity although the limited exposure to latex gloves during education.

Patologías en la piel que presentan los estudiantes de odontología por el uso de guantes de látex.

“…Estudiantes que presentan sintomatología con relación al uso de guantes de látex. En la universidad de Plovdif, Bulgaria, el 8.2 % de los estudiantes de odontología tuvieron molestias en la piel de las manos al usar guantes de látex (Stoeva, 2011); Vangveeravong en Tailandia, igual en el año 2011 reporta una prevalencia del 5%. En Saudi Arabia, se reporta una prevalencia de 12.85% de alergia al látex, de igual manera, en un estudio a estudiantes (Al-aslami et al, 2018).…”

Occupational hazards to dental staff

“…Results showed that 6.2% of participants tested were positive for Type I latex hypersensitivity. [ 51 52 ] Data from 1996 to 2001 from this ongoing cross-sectional study showed a decline in prevalence from 8.5% to 4.3%. [ 51 ]…”

“…This decline is related to the use of a better quality of latex gloves with lower allergen content. [ 51 53 – 55 ] In order to reduce the risk of latex product-associated adverse reactions in both HCWs and patients, federal regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the CDC have instituted policies and recommendations regarding appropriate selection of products, work practices to reduce risk, employee education, and the monitoring of allergic symptoms. For example, the FDA requires all medical/dental products and/or devices that contain latex to be clearly labeled “contains latex.” In the newly released Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings, 2003, the CDC suggests a number of protocols to decline and manage latex sensitivity and associated adverse reactions in dentistry.…”

“…For example, the FDA requires all medical/dental products and/or devices that contain latex to be clearly labeled “contains latex.” In the newly released Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings, 2003, the CDC suggests a number of protocols to decline and manage latex sensitivity and associated adverse reactions in dentistry. [ 51 ] Accordingly,…”