Preventive planning against mercury over-exposure among Moroccan dentists using multidimensional statistical methods.

Autor: Attiya N; B.A.S.E Laboratory, FSM-FSTE, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco., Filali A; B.A.S.E Laboratory, FSM-FSTE, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco.; Higher Institute of Nursing Profession and Techniques of Health, Kenitra, Morocco., Fattahi R; B.A.S.E Laboratory, FSM-FSTE, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco.; Higher Institute of Nursing Profession and Techniques of Health, Errachidia, Morocco., Moujane S; B.A.S.E Laboratory, FSM-FSTE, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco., Mazouz H; P.B.M.B Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco., Amarouch MY; R.N.E Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., Filaly-Zegzouti Y; B.A.S.E Laboratory, FSM-FSTE, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Work (Reading, Mass.) [Work] 2022; Vol. 72 (3), pp. 1065-1076.
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205115
Abstrakt: Background: Mercury used in dental amalgams constitutes a significant source of chronic exposure to this heavy metal among dentists. Thus, the safety of dental amalgam remains a controversial issue despite its long history of use. In Morocco, most studies about dental mercury were mainly focused on the environmental risk related to the management of mercury-contaminated waste.
Objective: In order to evaluate the occupational exposure to mercury among liberal dentists practicing in two Moroccan regions, a multidimensional statistical approach was used to analyze the collected data. The main objective was to help establishing a targeted prevention plan aiming to reduce the mercury exposure among Moroccan dentists.
Methods: Fifteen variables from 146 dentists were elected for a three-step classification procedure: a multiple correspondence analysis followed by a hierarchical ascendant clustering consolidated by the k-Means algorithm.
Results: Three homogenous clusters were identified. The most important one includes 57.5% of the population as well as the majority of the risky factors. The characterization of these clusters allows proposing concise guidelines for a targeted preventive plan.
Conclusions: A real mercurial risk has been observed in the studied population. However, its impact on health as well as the efficiency of simple preventive recommendations remains to be unveiled.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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