Studies on contact dermatitis in stomatological staff.

84 patients with contact dermatitis (38 dentists, 18 dental nurses and 28 dental technicians) were studied. All were patch tested with standard patch test series of the CMEA countries and with some professional allergens. 31 (36.9%) of them had allergic occupational contact dermatitis and 39 (46.2%) had irrtiant contact dermatitis. The highest prevalence of irritant contact dermatitis was found among dental surgeons. The percentage of atopics in the group of patients with irritant contact dermatitis was twice greater compared to that in the group of patients with allergic contact dermatitis. The contact allergens most frequently encountered were acrylic compounds, disinfectants (eugenol, thymol, trioxymethylene) mercury compunds and anesthetics.