608 Dental Office Safety

Patients with Latex Allergy

Patients with a latex allergy should not have direct contact with latex-containing materials and should be treated in a "latex safe" environment. Such patients also may be allergic to the chemicals used in manufacturing natural rubber latex gloves, as well as to metals, plastics, or other materials used to provide dental care.

By obtaining thorough patient health histories and preventing patients from having contact with potential allergens, dental health care professionals can minimize the possibility of patients having adverse reactions.

Considerations in providing safe treatment for patients with possible or documented latex allergy include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Screen all patients for latex allergy: obtain their health history and provide medical consultation when latex allergy is suspected.
• Be aware of some common predisposing conditions: spina bifida, urogenital anomalies, or allergies to avocados, kiwis, nuts, or bananas.
• Be familiar with the different types of hypersensitivity-immediate and delayed-and the risks that these pose for patients and staff.
• Consider sources of latex other than gloves. Dental patients with a history of latex allergy may be at risk from a variety of dental products including, but not limited to, prophylaxis cups, rubber dams, and orthodontic elastics.
• Provide an alternative treatment area free of materials containing latex. Ensure a latex-safe environment or one in which no personnel use latex gloves and no patient contact occurs with other latex devices, materials, and products.
• Remove all latex-containing products from the patient's vicinity. Adequately cover/isolate any latex-containing devices that cannot be removed from the treatment environment.
• Be aware that latent allergens in the ambient air can cause respiratory and or anaphylactic symptoms in people with latex hypersensitivity. Therefore, to minimize inadvertent exposure to airborne latex particles among patients with latex allergy, try to give them the first appointments of the day.
• Frequently clean all working areas contaminated with latex powder/dust.
• Frequently change ventilation filters and vacuum bags used in latex-contaminated areas.
• Have latex-free kits, such as dental treatment and emergency kits, available at all times.
• Be aware that allergic reactions can be provoked from indirect contact as well as direct contact (for example, being touched by someone who has worn latex gloves). Hand hygiene, therefore, is essential.
• Communicate latex allergy procedures to other personnel to prevent them from bringing latex-containing materials into the treatment area.
• If latex-related complications occur during or after the procedure, manage the reaction and seek emergency assistance as indicated. Follow current medical emergency response recommendations for management of anaphylaxis.

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