Management of Latex Allergy

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

1. Discuss the epidemiology of latex allergy in the general population, patients and dental workers.
2. Describe the manufacturing process involved in the natural rubber products and identify specific steps during which protein allergens may be introduced in the latex gloves.
3. Identify 5 factors that contribute to allergy development.
4. Explain why allergies are so difficult to diagnose.
5. Distinguish between various types of allergic reactions.
6. Describe common symptoms of a rapid phase and slow phase anaphylactic reaction.
7. Identify patients more susceptible to latex allergy.
8. Outline 6 recommendations for patients to guard against adverse latex reactions.
9. Outline 4 steps to protect dental health care workers against latex allergy.
10. List substitutes for latex dental products.
11. Describe a treatment plan for severe systemic anaphylaxis.

To assess the effectiveness of the course material, we ask that you evaluate your achievement of each learning objective on a scale of A to D (A=excellent, B=good, C=fair, D=unsatisfactory). Please indicate your responses next to each learning objective and return it to us with your com­pleted exam.