Vesna Branković,
Ana Pejčić,
Branislava Mirković,
Ivana Grigorov

CLINIC OF STOMATOLOGY IN NIŠ - DEP. OF ORAL MEDICINE AND PERIODONTOLOGY, NIŠ, SERBIA

The law of cross-infection control strictly recommends using gloves in stomatological practice in order to reduce the transmission of infection during dental intervention. However, the gloves usage has undesirable effects. There are a lot of data about allergic reactions appearing after using protective gloves.

As there are only few facts about undesirable effects in our professional literature, the aim of this work was to examine hypersensitivity to protective gloves after using them. Out of 110 examinees who change latex gloves, there are 73 of them who change gloves after each intervention, mainly dentists and dental nurses, but those of the examinees who do not change them are hygienists. Out of 110 examinees who change latex gloves, 21 (23%) complain that they have some problems after using them. Seven out of 21 examined persons with problems react to latex gloves, four of them react to PVC gloves, whereas ten examinees react to powder.

This study confirms that dental workers run the risk of developing hypersensitivity to gloves, and that preventive strategies are essential for daily work.

Key words: gloves, dental profession, hypersensitivity, allergic reaction