Pulmonary Function Testing in Dentists versus Controls: A Pilot Study Exploring the Potential Respiratory-Related Occupational Hazards of Dentistry.

OBJECTIVE Minimal research exists evaluating respiratory-related occupational hazards associated with dentistry in the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pulmonary function of dentists as compared with controls. METHODS This is a case-control study evaluating pulmonary function in dentists versus controls. Outcomes included measurements of FEV1%, FVC%, and FEV1/FVC. RESULTS Our findings indicate that dentists had a statistically significant lower percent predicted FEV1% (p < 0.05) and FVC% (p < 0.05) compared to controls. The prevalence of abnormal FVC% and FEV1% was greater among dentists, but only the increase in abnormal FEV1% approached significance. CONCLUSIONS Dentists had lower percent predicted values for FVC% and FEV1% versus controls. More research is required to further investigate the association between the dental profession and pulmonary function in dentists.