7 patients were occupationally sensitized to dental
composite resin products (DCR): 6 dental nurses and 1 dentist. All had a positive patch test to their DCR. 2 independent types of
allergy were seen; (a) aromatic epoxy
acrylate, and/or (b) aliphatic
acrylates. 4 out of 5 patients reacted to
BIS-GMA, the most widely used aromatic epoxy
acrylate in DCR, but not the dentist. She and 2 dental nurses were allergic to aliphatic
acrylates, including
triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TREGDMA) and triethylene diglycol diacrylate (TREGDA). 4 patients were allergic to
epoxy resin (ER) (containing mainly MW 340), possibly an impurity in some DCR. 2 patients were also allergic to methyl
methacrylate (MMA): the dentist, had been exposed to MMA, but the nurse's exposure was uncertain. 1 patient was also allergic to rubber gloves, 2 to rubber chemicals but not their gloves, and 5 to
disinfectants used. diagnosis was delayed as long as 13 years in spite of previous patch testing. Dermatologists need to use the patients' own DCR and the (meth)
acrylate series for patch testing. No dental nurses could continue their occupation, but the dentist could occasionally handle DCR if wearing
PVC gloves. Dental personnel need to know about the risks of DCR, and use no-touch techniques and
protective gloves.