Associations between mercury exposure with blood pressure and lipid levels: A cross-sectional study of dental professionals.

Mercury (Hg) exposure is a public health problem worldwide that is now being addressed through the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Fish containing methylmercury and dental amalgam containing elemental Hg are the major sources of exposure for most populations. There is some evidence that methylmercury impacts cardiovascular and metabolic health, primarily in populations with high exposure levels.

Rates and predictors of exposure to Legionella pneumophila in the United States among dental practitioners: 2002 through 2012.

Background: In this study, the authors compared the odds of exposure to Legionella pneumophila among currently active dental practitioners with that of nonpractitioners and evaluated demographic and clinical practice predictors of exposure.

Methods: The authors obtained demographic characteristics and dental practice behaviors from participants in the annual American Dental Association Health Screening Program survey administered from 2002 through 2012. The authors assayed serum samples obtained from participants for L pneumophila antibodies.

Genetic polymorphisms are associated with hair, blood, and urine mercury levels in the American Dental Association (ADA) study participants.

Background/aims: Mercury (Hg) is a potent toxicant of concern to the general public. Recent studies suggest that several genes that mediate Hg metabolism are polymorphic. We hypothesize that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in such genes may underline inter-individual differences in exposure biomarker concentrations.

Exposures of dental professionals to elemental mercury and methylmercury.

Mercury (Hg) exposure, a worldwide public health concern, predominantly takes two forms--methylmercury from fish consumption and elemental Hg from dental amalgam restorations. We recruited 630 dental professionals from an American Dental Association meeting to assess Hg body burden and primary sources of exposure in a dually exposed population. Participants described occupational practices and fish consumption patterns via questionnaire.

Occupational mercury exposure in association with prevalence of multiple sclerosis and tremor among US dentists.

Background: The effects of chronic occupational exposure to elemental mercury (Hg(0)) are largely unknown. The objective was to evaluate the association of occupational Hg(0) exposure with multiple sclerosis (MS) and tremor.

Methods: The study included 13,906 dentists who attended the American Dental Association's annual meeting over 24 years (1986-2007 and 2011-2012).

Low-level mercury exposure and peripheral nerve function.

Background: Mercury is known to be neurotoxic at high levels. There have been few studies of potential peripheral neurotoxicity among persons with exposure to elemental mercury at or near background levels.

Objectives: The present study sought to examine the association between urinary mercury concentration and peripheral nerve function as assessed by sensory nerve conduction studies in a large group of dental professionals.

Latex allergy and filaggrin null mutations.

Objectives: Natural rubber latex (NRL) contains over 200 proteins of which 13 have been identified as allergens and the cause of type I latex allergy. Health care workers share a high occupational risk for developing latex allergy. Filaggrin null mutations increase the risk of type I sensitizations to aeroallergens and it is possible that filaggrin null mutations also increase the risk of latex allergy.

The immuno cross-reactivity of gutta percha points.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to test the postulated immuno cross-reactivity between proteins derived from raw gutta percha (RGP), gutta percha point (GPP) and natural rubber latex (NRL).

Methods: Antigenicity and cross-reactivity of proteins were determined by the FITkit (FITBiotech, Finland) and ELISA inhibition assays.

Results: Antigenicity of proteins derived from RGP or GPP was not demonstrated.