Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Mehmet Salık; Servet Erdemes; Şeyhmus Salık

Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Occupational allergies represent an important health concern in dentistry due to frequent exposure to various chemical and biological agents. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of allergic conditions and identify occupational triggers among dentists in Türkiye.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among dentists in Türkiye between September 15 and December 15, 2024. The questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics, allergy history, occupational exposure, and management approaches. Descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with allergic rhinitis.

Results: A total of 621 dentists participated (61.8% female). Overall, 40.7% reported having allergies, and 24.0% reported occupational allergies. Allergic rhinitis was the most common manifestation (61.3% among allergic participants). Detergents/disinfectants were the most frequently reported occupational allergens (58.3%), followed by latex (54.0%) and irrigation agents (17.9%). Exposure to disinfectants (OR=12.74, 95% CI: 7.57-21.43, p<0.001) and latex (OR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.69-4.78, p<0.001) were significantly associated with allergic rhinitis. More than half of the participants with allergies (56.1%) reported receiving medical treatment.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this cross-sectional, self-reported study, the findings suggest that disinfectants may represent a prominent occupational allergen among dentists in Türkiye, potentially reflecting changes in infection control practices. Preventive approaches and increased awareness of occupational exposures may help reduce allergy-related risks in dental practice.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Harran University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Approval No: HRU/24.13.07).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Dental Therapeutics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Work and Occupational Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mehmet Salık ^*
0009-0001-4142-688X
Türkiye

Servet Erdemes
0000-0003-1296-0925
Türkiye

Şeyhmus Salık
0000-0002-8586-1971
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

April 30, 2026

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 18, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA67LN29BS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Salık, M., Erdemes, S., & Salık, Ş. (2026). Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research, 6(1), 39-48. https://izlik.org/JA67LN29BS

AMA

1.Salık M, Erdemes S, Salık Ş. Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res. 2026;6(1):39-48. https://izlik.org/JA67LN29BS

Chicago

Salık, Mehmet, Servet Erdemes, and Şeyhmus Salık. 2026. “Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6 (1): 39-48. https://izlik.org/JA67LN29BS.

EndNote

Salık M, Erdemes S, Salık Ş (April 1, 2026) Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6 1 39–48.

IEEE

[1]M. Salık, S. Erdemes, and Ş. Salık, “Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey”, HRU Int J Dent Oral Res, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 39–48, Apr. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA67LN29BS

ISNAD

Salık, Mehmet - Erdemes, Servet - Salık, Şeyhmus. “Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6/1 (April 1, 2026): 39-48. https://izlik.org/JA67LN29BS.

JAMA

1.Salık M, Erdemes S, Salık Ş. Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res. 2026;6:39–48.

MLA

Salık, Mehmet, et al. “Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research, vol. 6, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 39-48, https://izlik.org/JA67LN29BS.

Vancouver

1.Mehmet Salık, Servet Erdemes, Şeyhmus Salık. Allergic Rhinitis and Occupational Allergy Among Dentists in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 1;6(1):39-48. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA67LN29BS