Occupational health problems among dental hygienists.

A questionnaire survey on work-related health complaints was performed among dental hygienists. Valid information was received fom 189 hygienists, representing about half of all active members of the Norwegian Association of Dental Hygienists. Parallel information was received from similar number of female and male control persons in other occupations. The present report presents data on the nature and etiology of the chemically induced health complaints. About half of the hygienists had experienced one or more health problem of dermal, systemic, sensory (eye) or respiratory nature during the last year, as compared to 37% of the female and 19% of the male control group. The most frequent complaint was dermatoses of hands and fingers (37%), caused by different chemical, work-related factors. Latex gloves were responsible for 1/3 of these reactions. The role of immunological and irritant latex reactions were discussed and the prevalence of non-dermatological reactions compared with similar findings among women in other occupations.