Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy

Handan Vural; Büşra Kaya; Regaib Buğra Dündar

doi:10.62243/edr.1872237

Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy

Abstract

Aim Latex allergy represents a significant occupational risk for dental professionals due to intensive and prolonged exposure to latex-containing materials during clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge levels, sensitivity status, and preventive attitudes of dental students regarding latex allergy. Material and method The online questionnaire included sections on demographic characteristics, susceptibility to latex allergy, and knowledge and attitudes regarding its prevention and management. Of the 688 invited students, 385 complete questionnaires were included in the final analysis. Knowledge scores were evaluated under the domains of definition, diagnosis, prevention, and risk groups. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact test, and post-hoc analyses, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results Among the participants, 27% reported experiencing glove-related problems, while 80.2% stated that they had not received any education on latex allergy. Latex gloves were the most frequently used type (56.1%), and 36.4% reported using powdered gloves. Knowledge scores increased significantly with advancing class level (p < 0.001), although overall scores remained low. The most frequently recognized symptom was skin rash (36.6%), whereas respiratory and systemic manifestations were less well known. Healthcare workers and rubber industry employees were the most commonly identified risk groups, while individuals undergoing repeated surgical procedures were poorly recognized. Conclusion Dental students demonstrated insufficient knowledge and awareness regarding latex allergy, despite their high occupational exposure risk. The findings highlight the need for structured and early educational interventions within undergraduate dental curricula to improve awareness, preventive behaviors, and occupational safety.main

Keywords

Project Number

none

Ethical Statement

The protocol of the 2025/7802 survey was approved by the İnönü University Health Sciences Non-Interventional Ethics Committee under decision number

Thanks

The study participants are acknowledged for their contribution

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Dental Materials and Equipment, Dentistry (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Handan Vural ^*
0000-0003-3155-5837
Türkiye

Büşra Kaya
0009-0003-1463-3116
Türkiye

Regaib Buğra Dündar
0009-0002-0080-9144
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 4 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62243/edr.1872237

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA62JC22DX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Vural, H., Kaya, B., & Dündar, R. B. (2026). Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy. Eurasian Dental Research, 4(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.62243/edr.1872237

AMA

1.Vural H, Kaya B, Dündar RB. Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy. EDR. 2026;4(1):1-6. doi:10.62243/edr.1872237

Chicago

Vural, Handan, Büşra Kaya, and Regaib Buğra Dündar. 2026. “Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy”. Eurasian Dental Research 4 (1): 1-6. https://doi.org/10.62243/edr.1872237.

EndNote

Vural H, Kaya B, Dündar RB (April 1, 2026) Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy. Eurasian Dental Research 4 1 1–6.

IEEE

[1]H. Vural, B. Kaya, and R. B. Dündar, “Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy”, EDR, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1–6, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.62243/edr.1872237.

ISNAD

Vural, Handan - Kaya, Büşra - Dündar, Regaib Buğra. “Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy”. Eurasian Dental Research 4/1 (April 1, 2026): 1-6. https://doi.org/10.62243/edr.1872237.

JAMA

1.Vural H, Kaya B, Dündar RB. Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy. EDR. 2026;4:1–6.

MLA

Vural, Handan, et al. “Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy”. Eurasian Dental Research, vol. 4, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 1-6, doi:10.62243/edr.1872237.

Vancouver

1.Handan Vural, Büşra Kaya, Regaib Buğra Dündar. Evaluation of Dental Students’ Awareness of Latex Allergy. EDR. 2026 Apr. 1;4(1):1-6. doi:10.62243/edr.1872237