Dental surgeons with natural rubber latex allergy: a report of 20 cases

Latex allergy is becoming a major occupational health issue and dental surg eons are at risk from becoming sensitized to natural rubber latex. A study was conducted to investigate risk factors and glove-related symptoms report ed by dentists with natural rubber latex allergy. Twenty dentists, who had undergone serological or dermatological testing for a Type I allergy to lat ex, were identified from a questionnaire survey. Risk factors investigated were: gender, years in clinical practice, exposure to latex gloves, atopic history and food allergy. The majority of dentists (75%) gave an atopic his tory. Glove-related adverse reactions ranged from cutaneous to systemic man ifestations. All twenty dentists reported itching of the hands in response to latex gloves. One respondent was unable to continue in dental practice b ecause of her glove-related allergies; nineteen dentists were able to conti nue by using synthetic, non-latex gloves.