Contact allergy to acrylate-based dental materials in users and in dental professionals

Abstract

Background: The frequency of occupational contact dermatitis has increased in dental care personnel. Dental materials may be hazardous to dental patients as well. Objective: We assessed contact allergy to acrylate-based dental materials both in dental professionals and in users. Patients and Method: The study included all individuals with suspected contact allergy to dental materials that were referred for patch testing to the University Contact Dermatitis Investigative Unit in Novi Sad, between 1992 and 2008. They were patch tested with their own relevant products, the European standard series, dental materials, preservatives/antimicrobials, plastics and perfumes/flavors specific series (Hermal-Trolab®, Reinbeck, Germany). Results: 8.258 patients with suspected contact allergy were referred for patch testing. Among them, there were 79 (0.95%) persons with suspected contact allergy to dental materials: 67 dental patients and 12 dental professionals (6 technicians, 5 nurses, 1 dentist). All professionals had hand eczema. In the group of 67 dental patients, 46 had stomatitis, 17 glossitis and 4 oral lichen planus. Out of 79 persons there were 6 (7.6%) individuals patch test-positive to acrylate-based dental materials. All were sensitive to the liquid material containing methyl methacrylate monomer used as the acrylic denture-base material, and very probably to methyl methacrylate itself, although only 4 of them reacted to methyl methacrylate (2% pet; Trolab®). Conclusion: In Vojvodina, liquid material containing methyl methacrylate monomer, used as the acrylic denture-base material, is the main source of sensitization, both in those handling dental products and in patients with orofacial complaints. Though current product declarations do help, they are rather insufficient for dermato-allergologists and occupational health-care workers when assessing risk of exposure to these allergens.