Onycholysis As An Endodontics Hazard: A Case Report

Dentistry is one of the careers which have so many occupational risks for dentists in competence with therapeutic advantages for patients. By far dermatitis, musculoskeletal disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, allergies, psychological problems, respiratory problems and obesity have been known as occupational hazards of dentistry. Onycholysis and nail pitting are of occupational dermatitis of manicurists and people whose jobs relate to vibrating machines but have not been mentioned in dentistry. Here we report a unique case of this object.A 29-year-old right-handed female dentist who had been carrying out endodontics for 5 years , was visited in Qaem dermatology clinic with complaint of nail deformity .There was not any evidence of dermatologic disease and allergy in her medical history. Clinical examination revealed onycholysis in internal angle of right thumbnail and pitting in the ipsilateral index finger, with a 6 months duration. Besides, nail bed biopsy ruled out other differential diagnosis of dermatologic disease with nail manifestations. She reported exacerbation of the condition with longer occupation time and relative improvement in vacations. The possibility of occupational onycholysis with a none-allergic etiology was considered. Improvement was noted when she stopped her career.This is the first report of occupational onycholysis due to dentistry. It seems that because of the variable approaches in different branches of dentistry occupational hazards should be assessed separately.