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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Occupational lung diseases among dental technicians.

Dental technicians are exposed to various dusts including silica, alloys, and acrylic plastics which may induce pneumoconiosis and probably other occupational lung diseases. The prevalence of pneumoconiosis is very high and related to the duration of exposure: 3 epidemiological studies have found a prevalence of pneumoconiosis 1/0 or greater of about 15% in technicians with 20 or more years' exposure. However, silica is probably not the sole causative agent. In addition to pneumoconiosis, this occupational exposure may induce minor lung function impairment, especially among smokers. However, the effect of cigarette smoking on lung function is greater than the effect of occupational exposure. Cases of occupational asthma, bronchial cancer and mesothelioma, and connective tissue diseases have been reported and are suspected to be work related, but epidemiological studies are needed. Pneumoconiosis is a frequent risk among dental technicians and compensation should be paid to those suffering from this work-related disease. Information about occupational lung diseases and adequate technical prevention measures are necessary for dental technicians.

Asthma↗
PubMed1984

Local neurotoxicity of methyl methacrylate among dental technicians.

Dental technicians often handle methyl methacrylate bare-handed before the polymerization reaction, and the monomer can penetrate the skin during the process. Nerve conduction velocities were determined in 20 dental technicians who had slight neurological complaints and in 18 healthy control persons. The motor and sensory conduction velocities in the forearm sections were normal and similar in both the study and the control group. Dental technicians had significantly slower distal sensory conduction velocities from the digits I, II and III on the right hand and also from the radial aspects of the digits II and III on the left hand than did the controls. Findings are considered to represent mild axonal degeneration on the areas with the closest and most frequent contact with methyl methacrylate.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Pulmonary function parameters, arterial blood gases and flow volume curves of dental technicians.

Dental technicians working in laboratories are exposed to different doses of various dusts. Disorders of pulmonary function may occur before radiographic changes are evident. If these pulmonary function disorders are found at an early stage, the risk may be reduced by early, adequate local ventilation and by appropriate individual protective methods. Unless adequate preventive measures are taken, pulmonary disorders will increase, finally leading to obstructive or restrictive ventilatory disorders, or progressive massive fibrosis. Results of pulmonary function tests provide objective criteria for prognosis, and are a measure of disease disability. In this situation, abnormal pulmonary function results should be considered as alarm signs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Organic dementia among dental technicians: a cross-sectional investigation of dental technicians using opticians as control].

The preparation methylmethacrylate (MMA) an organic solvent which is employed inter alii in the production of prostheses, is regarded as neurotoxic. With the object of illustrating to what extent dental technicians have symptoms compatible with organic dementia as compared with a control group, a cross-sectional questionnaire investigation was undertaken in a population consisting of 256 dental technicians and 160 opticians, all of whom were professionally active. The percentage replies for the two group were 88 and 85 respectively. The two groups do not differ from one another as regards background variables with the exception of age and adjustments are made for this in the analysis. The results demonstrate that there is a statistically higher prevalence of the majority of acute and also chronic symptoms among dental technicians than among opticians. The symptom pattern and the presence of information and selection bias are discussed and it is concluded that this investigation confirms the hypothesis that symptoms compatible with organic dementia are commoner among dental technicians. The results raise the suspicion that MMA may cause acute and chronic damage to the central nervous system, even after very slight exposure. Revision of the occupational environment of dental technicians, including the current hygienic limits for MMA, is recommended.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1989

[Organic dementia among dental technicians. A cross-sectional study of dental technicians with opticians as the control group].

The preparation methyl metacrylate (MMA) an organic solvent which is employed inter alii in the production of prostheses, is regarded as neurotoxic. With the object of illustrating to what extent dental technicians have symptoms compatible with organic dementia as compared with a control group, a cross-sectional questionnaire investigation was undertaken in a population consisting of 256 dental technicians and 160 opticians, all of whom were professionally active. The percentage replies for the two groups were 88 and 85 respectively. The two groups do not differ from one another as regards background variables with the exception of age and adjustments are made for this in the analysis. The results demonstrate that there is a statistically higher prevalence of the majority of acute and also chronic symptoms among dental technicians than among opticians. The symptom pattern and the presence of information and selection bias are discussed and it is concluded that this investigation confirms the hypothesis that symptoms compatible with organic dementia are commoner among dental technicians. The results raise the suspicion that MMA may cause acute and chronic damage to the central nervous system, even after very slight exposure. Revision of the occupational environment of dental technicians, including the current hygienic limits for MMA, is recommended.

Adult↗