Individuals most likely to develop an allergy to latex are those who are repeatedly exposed to latex products. Latex allergies are initially manifested by immediate or delayed erythema, skin rash (Figures 1&2), or blisters of oral mucosa (Figure 3), rhinoconjunctivitis or pruritis. The risk of progression from skin rash, uticaria, to more serious reactions such as asthma or anaphylaxis is unknown. However, more serious reactions could occur with continuing exposure.6 Prolonged periods of contact with latex that are required for most dental procedures, could exacerbate the allergic reaction.

The majority of health care workers with symptoms of latex allergy first contract local hand symptoms when using latex gloves.7 Uticaria resulting from contact with latex was first reported by Nutter in 1979.8 Since that time, documented reports of latex precipitated reactions continues to rise. While there are several therapeutic remedies for the clinical symptoms, such as topical steroids and antihistamines, there is no cure for latex sensitivity.

The relatively benign symptoms of dermatitis, hives, itching, and burning eyes may be viewed by health care professionals in general, and dental health care professionals in particular, as reversible symptoms that disappear readily when the sensitizing agent is removed. They may often fail to associate these symptoms with an allergic reaction that has a cumulative pattern with potential increased severity that could eventually end their careers or possibly their lives.

During the later half of the nineties the recognition of latex sensitivities among Health Science Center students at the authors’ university was questioned, when it was determined that a relatively low number of cases of latex related problems were reported. This number was well below the incidence of latex sensitivities among health care workers reported by Safadi et al, 1996.9 In their study of oral health care workers in a hospital setting, 38 percent reported a history of latex sensitivity, while only 12 percent tested positive to a skin-prick test. Furthermore studies on dental clinic personnel and dental students indicated a 12 – 18 percent incidence of latex glove reactions, based on surveys and skin testing.9, 10, 11 These reports that are pertinent to dental students, the future dental professionals, raised our concern. This concern was substantiat- ed by Hamann et al in 1998 that indicated 6.2 percent of 1,701 dental professionals tested with a skin prick test, had an immediate, Type I, hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex.12

Among dental professionals, dental students, at the early formative years of their careers are at a high risk of developing latex allergies. The 1997 survey by Rankin of 413 dental students resulted in one third of the respondents reporting symptoms associated with latex. The percentage of students reporting symptoms increased across the four years of dental school (8, 13, 21, 26%).11 Dermititis and occular irritation were among the most common symptoms reported. The results achieved were pertinent to the subject investigated; hence it affirmed the prevalence of latex sensitivity among dental students. However, due to the small number of student population involved and the absence of number of respondents to the survey, these data could not be representative of the latex sensitivity pattern among dental students nationwide. Identifying the inci- dence and prevalence among dental students in United States dental schools would place in focus the extent of this problem and potentially give rise to heightened awareness among dental schools, dental clinics, and private den- tal practices. Consequently, policies and protocols may be developed and implemented to manage this progres- sively developing problem in the dental health care field.

The objective of this study was to determine the identification and self-reporting incidences of dental students in United States Dental Schools with sensitivity to latex or a risk for allergy to latex products.

Methods and materials

A three-question survey was mailed to the Clinical Affairs Departments and Student Health Services of 53 United States dental schools with a total popu-lation of 16,369 students. The survey recorded the presence of schools’ poli-cies for managing students with latex sensitivity; the percentage of the dental student population that reported latex sensitivity; and the latex free alternatives available at the schools. A self addressed, stamped envelope was pro-vided for a return response.

Results

Of the 53 dental schools surveyed with a total of 16,369 students, 52 schools with 15,933 students returned complet-ed questionnaires for a response rate of 98.1 percent. Among the respondents, forty-four (84.5%) schools that had 12,561 students reported 538 cases of latex sensitivity; 7 schools (13.5%) affirmed that no data is maintained; and 1 school (2%) has established a latex free clinic.
The percentage incidence of latex sen-sitivity reported by the 44 schools in this study ranged from zero to 21 percent.

Fig. 4. Graphic representation of incidence and distribution of latex sensitivity among dental students in United States dental schools included in the present study.

Thirty-six schools (81.8%) reported a distribution of 0 – 5 percent incidence; 2 schools (4.5%) reported a distribution of 6 – 10 percent incidence; and 6 schools (13,6%) reported a distribution of greater than 10 percent incidence (Figure 4).
The adjusted mean of reported latex sensitivity of the schools surveyed is 4.2 percent, which is below the estimated prevalence of latex sensitivity in dental health care workers. There is no appar-ent geographical correlation of the data. Among the latex free alternatives reported were: latex free gloves and cotton tie masks.

Discussion

Kelly et al 1994, listed the methods used to determine the prevalence of latex allergy: a). Questionnaires to assess reactions to latex gloves; b). Medical histories of reactions to latex-containing products; c). Skin tests that include patch test, skin prick and intra-dermal; and d). Serologic test for IgE antibodies .3
The prevalence of reported latex sensi-tivity varied significantly depending on the method employed. Questionnaires and symptom reporting provided higher prevalence than serologic assays.9 The latter may produce a false negative result because not all latex proteins have been identified. For this study it was determined that surveying the den-tal schools nationwide was the most practical and economical method. The obtained data can be analyzed in light of the existing information derived from studies that employed a similar method. The analysis of the data collected in this study indicates that the percentage of dental students that reported signs of latex sensitivity (4.2%) is lower than that for dental health care providers estab-lished in practice (12-18 %).9 The differ-ence between these means can be attributed to: a). absence of reporting mechanism by schools, b). underreport-ing by the students, c). potential influ-ence of cumulative effect of latex expo-sure.
The data reported by individual schools varied significantly (0-21%). Three schools, with 608 students, reported a zero percent incidence, while another three schools, with 737 students, report-ed a range of 18 to 21 percent. The dis-parity of the reporting provided by the schools indicates the possibility that some dental schools have no protocol in place for a reporting mechanism or they fail to educate their students to rec-ognize, and report preliminary manifes-tations of latex sensitivity.
The underreporting by students can be attributed to multiple factors that include: ignorance of the cumulative allergic effects of latex exposure and severity of the potential reactions; unavailability of a readily accessible reporting mechanism at the dental schools; and lack of knowledge of the availability of latex substitution products. Additionally, while most dental students are solely focused on the completion of their dental school requirements, they fail to recognize the importance of any issue that does not directly impact the attainment of their final goal of gradua-tion. This among other factors makes identification and diagnosis of latex sen-sitivity a difficult task, particularly if those individuals effected ignore the early symptoms.
Dental schools have a duty of care to educate their students and inform them of the recommendations provided by governmental agencies. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has recently produced an adviso-ry recommending the following mea-sures: use non latex gloves for activities not likely to involve contact with infec-tious materials, and only use powder-free latex gloves with reduced protein content when necessary.13 These rec-ommendations highlight the importance of symptom recognition and appropriate consultation. The Food and Drug Administration mandates that all med-ical devices be labeled as to their latex content beginning in 1998.14 Dental stu-dents must be informed of these rec-ommendations and mandates in order to emphasize the hazards of latex. Admittedly the contemporary dental curriculum is saturated with essential information for dental students’ profi-ciency, however, topics that are critical to their health and well being must be incorporated. Instructions related to the recognition of latex sensitivity and the severity of allergic reaction that could occur over repeated exposure to the latex proteins must be emphasized. Policies geared toward precautionary procedures must be followed to protect students, faculty, staff and patients from unnecessary latex exposure and devel-oping or aggravating latex allergies. A simple, yet effective measure to reduce latex exposure is washing hands imme-diately upon removing the gloves, which removes residual latex proteins. Protocols are also necessary to estab-lish a direction and a method for han-dling latex allergies if they occur. These protocols should include identifying latex sensitive individuals, establishing a reporting mechanism, conducting aller-gy testing of any student with suspected or mild symptoms, and acquiring substi-tute products to latex. In service train-ing by manufacturers of alternative glove materials is an effective educa-tional process that informs the students of the diversification of available gloves that do not contain latex.
Alternatively, dental schools should con-sider converting all or part of their clinics to a latex free environment. In response to the rise in latex sensitivity in health care workers and patients, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Oakdale Dental Clinic, has taken a lead-ing role by converting its facilities to a latex-safe environment. Such action would serve the need of the latex sensi-tive patient population, as well as the latex sensitive dental students, faculty and supporting staff.
Dental students should be screened for latex allergy upon admission to dental school and throughout the four years of education. Identification of known or suspected latex sensitive dental stu-dents can be accomplished by student health services through medical histo-ries, observing symptoms that occur while in school and through use of a latex allergy questionnaire that becomes part of the student’s medical record. Those students who are in a high-risk category for developing an allergy, such as those with other aller-gies or individuals who require frequent surgery, must be closely monitored for reaction to latex. Students must be counseled at an early stage of their den-tal education about the consequences of the allergen and its potential negative impact on their careers.
Hospitals nationwide are implementing latex policies to protect their patients and employees from developing and aggravating latex allergies. It is impera-tive that dental organizations and dental professionals recognize the need for such action, and the importance of implementing such policies.

Conclusion

Latex allergy has been known to be an occupational health hazard since the FDA issued an alert about latex contain-ing medical devices including gloves, in 1991. The present survey results reflect the occurrence of latex sensitivity among United States dental students. Individuals, institutions and organiza-tions must establish protocols to imple-ment a direction and a method for man-aging latex allergies, and to prevent repeated exposure to themselves, their staff and patients.

References