What are some considerations if dental health care personnel are allergic to latex?
Dental health care personnel who are allergic to latex will need to take precautions at work and outside the workplace since latex is used in a variety of other common products in addition to gloves. The following recommendations are based on those issued by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH): If definitively diagnosed with allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) protein: • Avoid, as far as feasible, subsequent exposure to the protein and only use nonlatex (e.g., nitrile or vinyl) gloves. • Make sure that other staff members in the dental practice wear either nonlatex or reduced protein, powder-free latex gloves. • Use only synthetic or powder-free rubber dams. Dental personnel can further reduce occupational exposure to NRL protein by taking the following steps: • Using reduced protein, powder-free latex gloves. • Frequently changing ventilation filters and vacuum bags used in latex contaminated areas. • Checking ventilation systems to ensure they provide
