RAPID INCREASE IN SKIN PROBLEMS AMONG DENTAL TECHNICIAN TRAINEES WORKING WITH ACRYLATES

A panel of trainees at The Danish School of Dental Technicians was ask ed to fill in questionnaires 2X a year, to elucidate whether the preva lence of skin problems on their hands increased during the study and t o compare the results to the general population. At the beginning of t he study, trainees had a prevalence of skin problems not statistically significantly different from that in the general population. 8 months later, an increase of 23% in the prevalence was observed. Compared to the general population the standardized prevalence ratio (SPR) increa sed to 4.78, and compared to dental technicians at work, an SPR of 0.7 1 was found after 1 year of study Very few trainees experienced relief in symptoms during the 1st year of study (5%), whereas 33% developed worse symptoms. The results demonstrate that trainees shortly after be ginning their education have the same very high magnitude of skin prob lems as dental technicians at work. Trainees were exposed to acrylates more extensively than dental technicians. It is far from acceptable t hat this educational experience involves such a great risk to individu als with no experience or knowledge of the hazards of their occupation al environment. Preventive actions are called for, e.g., increased use of encapsulated systems, use of gloves with a well documented protect ive effect and mandatory courses on the hazardous effects of dental ma terials.