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Kim, Lee, Choi, Myong, Park, Jang, and Koo: The Assessment of Pulmonary Function in Dental Technicians
Original Article
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012; 24(4): 356-364.

Published online: 31 December 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/kjoem.2012.24.4.356

The Assessment of Pulmonary Function in Dental Technicians

Kyoung-Han Kim, Jong-In Lee, Min Choi, Jun-Pyo Myong1, Yong-Sang Park2, Tae-Won Jang1, Jung-Wan Koo1

Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Korea.

1Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea.

2Health Promotion Center, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Korea.

Corresponding author (jwkoo@catholic.ac.kr)

Received 23 July 2012       Revised 17 October 2012       Accepted 17 October 2012

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Dental technicians are exposed to various toxic materials in the workplace. The objectives of this study were to assess the pulmonary function of dental technicians and to evaluate the association between work-related factors and pulmonary function of dental technicians.

Methods

Study subjects were 209 dental technicians in the Korean Dental Technologist Association. A self-report questionnaire including general characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and work-related characteristics was conducted on study subjects, and a pulmonary function test (PFT) was done. Study subjects were classified into two groups(normal and abnormal pulmonary function) based on the pulmonary function test (PFT).

Results

43 subjects (20.6%) among 209 subjects had abnormal pulmonary function. After adjusting for general characteristics such as age, sex, past medical history, familial history, and smoking status, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.42(95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14~1.83). After adjusting for general and work-related characteristics, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.48(95% CI 1.18~1.92).

Conclusions

Dental technicians are exposed to hazardous materials, which might lead to abnormal pulmonary function. A long work duration could increase exposure time, thereby increasing the chance for abnormal pulmonary function. Therefore, pulmonary function tests should be carried out periodically in dental technicians to ensure their pulmonary health.

Keywords: Dental technicians, Respiratory function tests, Signs and symptoms, Respiratory, Workplace

Figures and Tables

Table 1
General and occupational characteristics by pulmonary function test results
kjoem-24-356-i001

*PFT: pulmonary function test.

†calculated by student t-test.

‡calculated by Pearson's chi-square test.

§calculated by Fisher's exact test.

∥symptoms: respiratory symptoms of the subjects in the last 3 months.

Table 2
Result of pulmonary function test between abnormal and normal group of the subjects (mean ± SD)
kjoem-24-356-i002

FVC: Forced Vital Capacity, FEV1: Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second, MMEF: Maximal Mid-Expiratory Flow, FVC% predicted: Percentage of predicted FVC, FEV1% predicted: Percentage of FEV1, MMEF% predicted: Percentage of predicted MMEF, PEFR: Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, FEF25,50,75%: Forced Expiratory Flow at 25, 50, 75% of expired FVC

*calculated by student t-test.

Table 3
Odds ratio (OR) for work-related factors associated with abnormal (restrictive) pulmonary function test
kjoem-24-356-i003

*adjusted with age, gender, past medical history, familial medical history, and smoking history.

†adjusted with age, gender, past medical history, familial medical history, smoking history, respiratory protectors, work duration, work hour, and turnover experience.

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