AIMS: To compare wage earner dental technicians with non-exposed salaried subjects for the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and function, and chest x ray abnormalities. METHODS: A total of 134 dental technicians and 131 non-exposed subjects participated. A medical and an occupational questionnaire were filled in to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and occupational exposures. Subjects underwent respiratory tests and chest x ray examination. RESULTS: Mean age of the dental technicians was 36.6 years with a mean duration of dental work of 16.5 years. There was a significant risk of cough (day and night) and usual phlegm in dental technicians. Respiratory function parameters were lower in dental technicians with a significant difference between exposed and non-exposed groups for % FVC (forced vital capacity), % FEF(25) (forced mid expiratory flow), and % FEF(50). The prevalence of small opacities increased with age. Small opacities were significantly related to an exposure to asbestos in the past. CONCLUSIONS: Our young population of dental technicians is at risk of respiratory morbidity. They should benefit from adequate technical prevention measures.
AIMS: To compare wage earner dental technicians with non-exposed salaried subjects for the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and function, and chest x ray abnormalities. METHODS: A total of 134 dental technicians and 131 non-exposed subjects participated. A medical and an occupational questionnaire were filled in to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and occupational exposures. Subjects underwent respiratory tests and chest x ray examination. RESULTS: Mean age of the dental technicians was 36.6 years with a mean duration of dental work of 16.5 years. There was a significant risk of cough (day and night) and usual phlegm in dental technicians. Respiratory function parameters were lower in dental technicians with a significant difference between exposed and non-exposed groups for % FVC (forced vital capacity), % FEF(25) (forced mid expiratory flow), and % FEF(50). The prevalence of small opacities increased with age. Small opacities were significantly related to an exposure to asbestos in the past. CONCLUSIONS: Our young population of dental technicians is at risk of respiratory morbidity. They should benefit from adequate technical prevention measures.
Authors: W N Rom; J E Lockey; J S Lee; A C Kimball; K M Bang; H Leaman; R E Johns; D Perrota; H L Gibbons Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 1984-11 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: P De Vuyst; R Vande Weyer; A De Coster; F X Marchandise; P Dumortier; P Ketelbant; J Jedwab; J C Yernault Journal: Am Rev Respir Dis Date: 1986-02
Authors: Han Loong Tan; Mohamed Faisal; Chun Ian Soo; Andrea Y L Ban; Roslina Abdul Manap; Tidi M Hassan Journal: BMC Pulm Med Date: 2016-09-07 Impact factor: 3.317