Occupational toxic risks in dental laboratory technicians

Dental laboratory technicians use a wide range of materials and techniques. They are thus subject to occupational exposures of many different kinds. The aim of this review is to present the circumstances of exposure, the related risks, and the epidemiological data available in the literature. Exposures to metals, waxes, resins and silica can cause irritation or allergic reactions, affecting either the skin or the respiratory tract. The risks of benign pneumoconiosis induced by hard metals are well documented. A prevalence of 15.4% after 20 or more years of exposure has been reported, whereas the prevalence in the general population is less than 1%. Malignant pneumoconiosis is caused by dust from crystalline silica, asbestos or beryllium. Silicosis is the most common occupational disease among dental technicians, while for berylliosis the risk is not well documented. Isolated cases of systemic autoimmune diseases have been observed. No study has yet demonstrated a link between these diseases and occupational exposure of dental technicians. Silica is known to provoke systemic scleroderma, but its role in prosthetists remains to be established. The first steps in prevention are the identification, classification and evaluation of exposure and the effects of that exposure on the health of exposed workers. Reduction or elimination of exposure by collective or individual protective measures are the best modalities of prevention.Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.