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Bjørn Hilt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Neurotoxic effects of mercury exposure in Dental Personnel.
Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology, 2019Co-Authors: Geir Bjørklund, Bjørn Hilt, Maryam Dadar, Ulf Lindh, Jan AasethAbstract:Numerous studies have reported neurobehavioural effects in Dental Personnel occupationally exposed to chronic low levels of mercury (Hg). Hg exposure from Dental work may also induce various chronic conditions such as elevation of amyloid protein expression, deterioration of microtubules and increase or inhibition of transmitter release at motor nerve terminal endings. Therefore, clinical studies of Hg toxicity in dentistry may provide new knowledge about disturbed metal homeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and mood disorders. The purpose of this MiniReview is to evaluate the evidence of possible relevance between Hg exposure in dentistry and idiopathic disturbances in motor functions, cognitive skills and affective reactions, as well as dose-response relationships.
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Mercury exposure and health impacts in Dental Personnel.
Environmental research, 2018Co-Authors: Jan Aaseth, Bjørn Hilt, Geir BjørklundAbstract:Based on toxicological, clinical, and epidemiological knowledge, the present paper reviews the status regarding possible deleterious health effects from occupational exposure to metallic mercury (Hg) in Dental practice. Symptoms from the central nervous system are among the health problems that most often are attributed to Hg exposure in dentists and Dental nurses working with amalgam. Uncharacteristic symptoms of chronic low-level Hg vapor exposure including weakness, fatigue, and anorexia have been observed in numerous studies of Dental Personnel. It is crucial to protect both human health and the environment against negative effects of Hg. In line with this, the use of Dental amalgam in industrial countries is about to be phased out. In Norway and Sweden, the use of the filling material is banned.
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Pregnancy outcomes among female Dental Personnel--a registry-based retrospective cohort study.
Scandinavian journal of work environment & health, 2011Co-Authors: Ingrid Heggland, Ågot Irgens, Mette Christophersen Tollånes, Pål Romundstad, Tore Syversen, Kristin Svendsen, Inger Melø, Bjørn HiltAbstract:Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate whether women who have worked as Dental Personnel in Norway, a group with possible previous exposure to mercury vapor, have had an excess risk of having children with congenital malformations or other adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to the general population.Methods A cohort of female Dental Personnel was identified from the archives of the public Dental healthcare and the national trade unions in Norway. Data on births and pregnancy outcomes during 1967-2006 were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). The final cohort of Dental Personnel consisted of 4482 Dental assistants and 1011 dentists. All other women registered in the MBRN were assigned to the control group, in total 1124 758. Excess risks of several adverse pregnancy outcomes for Dental Personnel compared to the general population were estimated. Analyses were conducted for the whole time period as well as stratified by 10-year periods.Results Female Dental Personnel had no observed increased occurrence of congenital malformations (including malformations of the central nervous system, dysplasia of the hip, clubfoot, malformations of the heart and great vessels), low birth weight, preterm birth, small for gestational age, changed gender ratio, multiple birth, stillbirth, or prenatal death.Conclusion On a group level, we did not observe any excess risks of congenital malformations or other adverse pregnancy outcomes among female Dental Personnel in Norway during 1967-2006 compared to the general population.
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Historical Exposure to Mercury among Norwegian Dental Personnel
Scandinavian journal of work environment & health, 2009Co-Authors: Kristin Svendsen, Tore Syversen, Inger Melø, Bjørn HiltAbstract:Objectives Due to public concern in Scandinavian countries about the health situation of Dental nurses, the Norwegian Ministry of Labor and Social Inclusion initiated a project to look at previous exposure to metallic mercury and its possible effects on Dental Personnel. The aims of this part of the study were to: (i) describe Norwegian Dental Personnel's exposure to mercury during the last 50 years, (ii) develop a model for scoring that reflects the cumulative exposure on an individual basis, and (iii) relate the calculated score to earlier measured levels of mercury in urine. Methods We obtained lists of previous and current Dental employees in both the private and public sector and mailed them a questionnaire concerning their working conditions. We received a response from 655 Dental nurses and 452 dentists. We also obtained urine mercury levels measured between 1970-1990 for 143 (22%) of the Dental nurses and 130 (29%) of the dentists. Results The results revealed a widespread exposure to mercury in both the individual exposure score and the measured mercury values in urine. For most respondents, however, the level of exposure to mercury seemed to be low. The use of copper amalgam, which is heated before it is applied, is of particular concern as a significant source of mercury exposure in Dental Personnel. Conclusion It seems evident that the exposure to mercury among Dental Personnel varies substantially; this is important to take into account when making exposure assessments for this group of workers.
Staffan Skerfving - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Musculoskeletal symptoms among Dental Personnel; - lack of association with mercury and selenium status, overwieght and smoking.
Swedish dental journal, 2000Co-Authors: Ingrid Åkesson, Staffan Skerfving, Vibeke Horstmann, A Schütz, Ulrich MoritzAbstract:Our objective was to describe the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms and how they affect the daily life of three different occupational groups of Dental Personnel. A cross sectional-study was performed among 268 Dental staff members and 111 referents. Female Dental hygienists and female dentists showed, compared with their referents, higher prevalence of symptoms during the past 12 months from neck, shoulders and hands/wrists. Both Dental groups also had higher frequencies of combined symptoms from these body regions, as well as longer duration of symptoms in neck and shoulders during the past 12-month period. Male dentists had higher frequencies of neck and shoulder symptoms compared with their referents. Female Dental assistants did not deviate from their referents. The symptoms from each single body region, or the occurrence of symptoms from multiple regions in a subject, did not show any statistically significant association with mercury (whole blood and urinary levels) or selenium (plasma level) status, neither with smoking habits nor overweight (Body Mass Index). The high frequency of musculoskeletal disorders probably reflects the specific work load in dentistry, with high demands on vision and precision and fine manipulative hand movements and work with unsupported, elevated arms. The symptoms might impair work capacity and the future possibility to stay in the profession. Further studies are needed to verify this.
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Musculoskeletal disorders among female Dental Personnel--clinical examination and a 5-year follow-up study of symptoms.
International archives of occupational and environmental health, 1999Co-Authors: I. Åkesson, B. Johnsson, L. Rylander, Ulrich Moritz, Staffan SkerfvingAbstract:Objectives: To explore the natural course of musculoskeletal disorders during a 5-year period among Dental Personnel, to survey findings and diagnoses according to a standardized protocol, and to compare and evaluate different methods for the detection of musculoskeletal disorders in a population. Methods: In a 5-year follow-up study, Dental Personnel (n = 90) and referents (n = 30) were studied. The Nordic questionnaire (years 0 and 5), the present pain rating according to the Borg category ratio scale, and physical examination (year 5) were used. Results: In year 0 the prevalence of symptoms in the shoulders, the wrists/hands, and, unexpectedly, the hips was higher in the Dental Personnel as compared with the referents. Furthermore, those (16%) who had left the Dental profession during the observation period showed a higher prevalence of and, often, combined symptoms from several body regions in year 0 than did those who stayed. Dental Personnel who remained in the profession tended to have an increased risk of developing more symptoms in the shoulders and the elbows/wrists/hands in year 5 as compared with year 0 and at year 5 were in more pain and had received more diagnoses for the neck/shoulder region relative to the referents. Furthermore, there was a considerable variation in symptoms during the follow-up period. The sensitivity of the pain rating and of the Nordic questionnaire in detecting musculoskeletal disorders was high for the neck and shoulders but was not as high for the elbow, wrists/hands, or hips. The association was better for diagnoses than for findings. The opposite patterns were observed for specificity. Conclusions: Dental Personnel had an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders as verified by symptoms and diagnoses and more painful or persistent conditions. This led to a selection out of work. The questionnaire and the present pain rating gave a relatively good picture of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders arising from the neck, shoulders, and hips and would be useful as screening tools. Their sensitivity in detecting disorders was higher for diagnoses than for findings. However, these methods were not as sensitive for disorders involving the elbows/wrists/hands. Physical examinations gave more detailed information.
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Neuropathy in female Dental Personnel exposed to high frequency vibrations
Occupational and environmental medicine, 1995Co-Authors: Ingrid Åkesson, Göran Lundborg, Vibeke Horstmann, Staffan SkerfvingAbstract:OBJECTIVE--To evaluate early neuropathy in Dental Personnel exposed to high frequency vibrations. METHODS--30 dentists and 30 Dental hygienists who used low and high speed hand pieces and ultrasonic scalers were studied, and 30 Dental assistants and 30 medical nurses not exposed to vibration (all women). Vibrotactile sensibility, strength, motor performance, sensorineural symptoms and signs, and vascular symptoms in the hands, as well as mercury concentrations in biological samples and cervicobrachial symptoms, were studied. RESULTS--The two groups exposed to vibration had significant impairments of vibrotactile sensibility, strength, and motor performance, as well as more frequent sensorineural symptoms. In the dentists there were significant associations between the vibrotactile sensibility and strength, motor performance, superficial sensibility, and sensorineural symptoms. There were no associations between these findings and cervicobrachial symptoms, mercury concentrations, or smoking. There was no increase of vascular symptoms of the hands in the groups exposed to vibration. CONCLUSION--Dental hygienists and dentists had a slight neuropathy, which may be associated with their exposure to high frequency vibrations, and which may be detrimental to their work performance. Thus, development of safer equipment is urgent.
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Status of mercury and selenium in Dental Personnel: impact of amalgam work and own fillings.
Archives of environmental health, 1991Co-Authors: Ingrid Åkesson, Staffan Skerfving, Andrejs Schütz, Robyn Attewell, Per-olof GlantzAbstract:Urinary mercury (U-Hg) and plasma mercury (P-Hg) levels were higher in 244 Dental Personnel than in 81 matched referents (U-Hg: 1.8 and 1.1 mumol/mol creatinine, respectively; p less than .001; P-Hg: 6.7 and 6.2 nmol/l, respectively; p = .03). The amalgam in the mouth influenced mercury levels in whole blood (B-Hg), plasma, and urine. The association was nonlinear: the more amalgam, the larger the relative increase in mercury levels. The number of amalgam surfaces accounted for more of the variance in blood and urine mercury levels than did the number of fillings (e.g., U-Hg: 44% and 36%, respectively). The estimated increases in mercury level with rising amalgam load were 3.0%, 2.0%, and 0.8% per filled surface for U-Hg, P-Hg, and B-Hg, respectively (p less than .0001 in all cases). The impact of occupational exposure on U-Hg in the Dental Personnel corresponded to approximately 19 amalgam surfaces. Ceramo metallic restorations were associated with higher (31%) U-Hg.
Ingrid Åkesson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Musculoskeletal symptoms among Dental Personnel; - lack of association with mercury and selenium status, overwieght and smoking.
Swedish dental journal, 2000Co-Authors: Ingrid Åkesson, Staffan Skerfving, Vibeke Horstmann, A Schütz, Ulrich MoritzAbstract:Our objective was to describe the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms and how they affect the daily life of three different occupational groups of Dental Personnel. A cross sectional-study was performed among 268 Dental staff members and 111 referents. Female Dental hygienists and female dentists showed, compared with their referents, higher prevalence of symptoms during the past 12 months from neck, shoulders and hands/wrists. Both Dental groups also had higher frequencies of combined symptoms from these body regions, as well as longer duration of symptoms in neck and shoulders during the past 12-month period. Male dentists had higher frequencies of neck and shoulder symptoms compared with their referents. Female Dental assistants did not deviate from their referents. The symptoms from each single body region, or the occurrence of symptoms from multiple regions in a subject, did not show any statistically significant association with mercury (whole blood and urinary levels) or selenium (plasma level) status, neither with smoking habits nor overweight (Body Mass Index). The high frequency of musculoskeletal disorders probably reflects the specific work load in dentistry, with high demands on vision and precision and fine manipulative hand movements and work with unsupported, elevated arms. The symptoms might impair work capacity and the future possibility to stay in the profession. Further studies are needed to verify this.
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Neuropathy in female Dental Personnel exposed to high frequency vibrations
Occupational and environmental medicine, 1995Co-Authors: Ingrid Åkesson, Göran Lundborg, Vibeke Horstmann, Staffan SkerfvingAbstract:OBJECTIVE--To evaluate early neuropathy in Dental Personnel exposed to high frequency vibrations. METHODS--30 dentists and 30 Dental hygienists who used low and high speed hand pieces and ultrasonic scalers were studied, and 30 Dental assistants and 30 medical nurses not exposed to vibration (all women). Vibrotactile sensibility, strength, motor performance, sensorineural symptoms and signs, and vascular symptoms in the hands, as well as mercury concentrations in biological samples and cervicobrachial symptoms, were studied. RESULTS--The two groups exposed to vibration had significant impairments of vibrotactile sensibility, strength, and motor performance, as well as more frequent sensorineural symptoms. In the dentists there were significant associations between the vibrotactile sensibility and strength, motor performance, superficial sensibility, and sensorineural symptoms. There were no associations between these findings and cervicobrachial symptoms, mercury concentrations, or smoking. There was no increase of vascular symptoms of the hands in the groups exposed to vibration. CONCLUSION--Dental hygienists and dentists had a slight neuropathy, which may be associated with their exposure to high frequency vibrations, and which may be detrimental to their work performance. Thus, development of safer equipment is urgent.
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Status of mercury and selenium in Dental Personnel: impact of amalgam work and own fillings.
Archives of environmental health, 1991Co-Authors: Ingrid Åkesson, Staffan Skerfving, Andrejs Schütz, Robyn Attewell, Per-olof GlantzAbstract:Urinary mercury (U-Hg) and plasma mercury (P-Hg) levels were higher in 244 Dental Personnel than in 81 matched referents (U-Hg: 1.8 and 1.1 mumol/mol creatinine, respectively; p less than .001; P-Hg: 6.7 and 6.2 nmol/l, respectively; p = .03). The amalgam in the mouth influenced mercury levels in whole blood (B-Hg), plasma, and urine. The association was nonlinear: the more amalgam, the larger the relative increase in mercury levels. The number of amalgam surfaces accounted for more of the variance in blood and urine mercury levels than did the number of fillings (e.g., U-Hg: 44% and 36%, respectively). The estimated increases in mercury level with rising amalgam load were 3.0%, 2.0%, and 0.8% per filled surface for U-Hg, P-Hg, and B-Hg, respectively (p less than .0001 in all cases). The impact of occupational exposure on U-Hg in the Dental Personnel corresponded to approximately 19 amalgam surfaces. Ceramo metallic restorations were associated with higher (31%) U-Hg.
Houshang Shahnavaz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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HAND DERMATITIS AND SYMPTOMS FROM THE FINGERS AMONG SWEDISH Dental Personnel
Swedish dental journal, 1998Co-Authors: Emma-christin Lönnroth, Houshang ShahnavazAbstract:Hand dermatitis among Dental Personnel has been an issue in recent years. Dental Personnel manually handle polymer materials which are known to irritate skin, and also cause allergy. In addition, Dental Personnel wash their hands frequently, and use latex gloves, and are therefore at risk to develop hand dermatitis. To survey the occurrence of hand dermatitis among Dental Personnel, questionnaires were sent to all Dental teams (dentist + chair assistant) working in the two northern Swedish counties. Referents were; researchers, teachers, and secretaries from a university and high schools, from the same geographical area. The response rate was 76% for Dental teams, and 66% for referents. The results show that male dentists reported a significantly higher prevalence of hand dermatitis than male reference. In contrast to chair assistants and referents, dentists (both male and female) reported a higher extent of hand dermatitis on the left than on the right hand. There was an association between hand dermatitis among Dental Personnel and; age, eczema in childhood, and hay fever but, not with; sex, asthma, frequent washing of the hands, and glove use. Whitening of the fingers increased with increasing age among Dental Personnel. Pricking was also associated with frequent glove use. Pricking of the fingers was associated with sex, and 3.5 times more common among female Dental Personnel than male dentists. Numbness of the fingers, and finger pain was reported by more dentists than chair assistants and referents.
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Adverse health reactions in skin, eyes, and respiratory tract among Dental Personnel in Sweden.
Swedish dental journal, 1998Co-Authors: Emma-christin Lönnroth, Houshang ShahnavazAbstract:Dental Personnel manually handle products that contain monomers. Several studies have documented adverse health effects after exposure to such products. Gloves made of vinyl or latex are easily penetrated by monomers. Ordinary glasses, or visors, do not protect against vapour from polymer products. Dental face masks filter out about 40% of respirable particles. To survey the prevalence of asthma, atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, hay fever/rhinitis, and hand eczema among Dental Personnel, a questionnaire was distributed to all Dental teams in Northern Sweden. Referents were researchers, teachers, and secretaries from the same geographical area. The response rate was 76% for Dental teams, and 66% for referents. The results show a significantly higher prevalence of conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis among dentists, both male and female. Hypersensitivity to Dental materials was reported by significantly more Dental Personnel than by referents.
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Why Dental Personnel do not use safety glasses? : using grounded theory to explain users' demandd
1998Co-Authors: Emma-christin Lönnroth, Houshang ShahnavazAbstract:Why Dental Personnel do not use safety glasses? : using grounded theory to explain users' demandd
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Atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and hand dermatitis among Swedish Dental Personnel, including use of personal protective devices
Swedish dental journal, 1998Co-Authors: Emma-christin Lönnroth, Houshang ShahnavazAbstract:A previous study on Dental Personnel in northern Sweden show that dentists had a significantly higher prevalence of self-reported and physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis and conjunctivitis, compared to chair assistants and referents (Lonnroth & Shahnavaz 1998). Further, significantly more male dentists reported experience of hand dermatitis compared to male referents. To compare the prevalence among Dental Personnel working in other geographical areas of Sweden, and survey the use of personal protective equipment, a questionnaire study was conducted during 1997, which included all dentists and his/her chair assistants, working in general private and public Dental care in Sweden. A total of 7384 Dental Personnel were included in the study, 4293 dentists (54.7% male and 45.3% female), and 3090 chair assistants. Logistic regression was used for analysing data. Results show that significantly more dentists reported symptoms of atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and hand dermatitis, and had been diagnosed by a physician, compared to chair assistants. However, they did not report more sick-leave due to symptoms, compared to chair assistants. More female used protective devices, than male, and more chair assistants than dentists. Significantly more Dental Personnel in public Dental care used protective devices, than in private Dental care. Use of gloves, and face mask, decreased with increasing age but, use of eye protection, mainly in form of prescription spectacles, increased. The prevalence of hand dermatitis decreased significantly with increasing age but, more for female (p < 0.0001), than for male (p = 0.01).
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Amalgam in Dentistry A Health Hazard for Dental Personnel
International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE, 1997Co-Authors: Emma-christin Lönnroth, Houshang ShahnavazAbstract:In a cross sectional study done in 1993 among Dental Personnel in Norrbotten, self-reported prevalence of muscular pain, headache, tremor, insomnia, irritation, impaired memory and depression, as well as information regarding different mercury exposures were collected Mercury exposures were determined as “number of amalgam fillings in teeth,” “years in practice,” “insufficient ventilation at work,” “total number of amalgam removed, produced and polished per day,” and “working in Dental clinics.” As controls, physicians and nurses from the same geographical area were selected. The correlation between symptoms and different mercury exposures was calculated using logistic regression. The results suggested a higher prevalence of muscular fatigue and tremor for female Dental Personnel compared to controls Controls reported a lower prevalence of symptoms with increasing number of amalgam fillings in teeth. There was no correlation between the number of amalgam fillings handled per day and symptoms for Dental pe...
André Dufresne - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Risk of respiratory exposure of Dental Personnel to amalgam alternatives.
The Science of the total environment, 2000Co-Authors: Ataollah Nayebzadeh, I. Stangel, André DufresneAbstract:Although the use of alternatives to Dental amalgam is increasing, the possible hazard associated with their occupational exposure has received inadequate attention. The purpose of this study is to use available toxicological and environmental information in a qualitative risk assessment to address potential health hazards associated with exposure to these materials by Dental Personnel. The members of Dental profession should be aware of risk due to long-term exposure to Dental materials.