[Causes of occupational allergy in dental nurses. An analysis based on the material collected at The Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódź].

The causes of occupational dermatosis were analysed in 27 dental nurses examined at The Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine during the years 1995-99. Contact sensitisation (at least one positive epidermal test) was found in 18 subjects (66.7%). Occupational allergic dermatitis was induced most frequently by: glutaraldehyde (7 positive patch tests), nickel (7), benzalkonium (4), formaldehyde (4), fragrances (4), chromium compounds (3), glyoxal (3), and thiuram (3). In the authors' opinion, dental nurses are nowadays sensitised to other chemical compounds than it used to be in the past. The present components of disinfectants (aldehydes, quaternary ammonium bases), metals and rubber are the major etiologic agents that induce occupational allergy.