Objectives:
To measure the types and frequency of occupational diseases which affect the dental professionals in the UK, and to identify the aetiological factors.
Methods:
According to the Standard Occupational Classification published by the Office of National Statistics, four groups of occupations are classified as dental professionals. A search of all the cases related to these four groups, that were reported in the THOR between 1996 and 2001, was carried out.
Results:
Between 1996 and 2001, the total number of reported cases amongst dental professionals was 463. These cases were reported by occupational physicians, dermatologists, consultant chest physicians, rheumatologists and psychiatrists. The breakdown of cases by disease category is as follows: contact dermatitis (50.5%); contact urticara (6.0%); respiratory disease (9.3%); musculoskeletal disorders (18.1%); mental ill health (16.0%). Agents accounting for the highest number of contact dermatitis cases were latex (30.9%), followed by hand-washing (24.5%). Latex (92.9%) was also the most frequently cited agent in cases of contact urticara. Occupational asthma (67.4%) was the most frequently reported respiratory disease. The most commonly identified sensitising agents were methylacrylate (48.3%) and latex (10.3%). The common causes for musculoskeletal disorders, which affected the spine (42.9%) and elbow (28.6%), were postural strain and awkward position. The major mental ill health reported was anxiety (67.6%), mainly due to workload.
Conclusions:
Of all the cases that have been reported to the THOR over the five-year period, the most common occupational health problems affecting dental professionals was skin disorders. The bulk of those cases were contact dermatitis. Latex was found to be the common agent for several occupational diseases, which were contact dermatitis, contact urticara and occupational asthma.