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

Author: Attiya N, Filali A, Fattahi R, Moujane S, Mazouz H, Amarouch MY, Filaly-Zegzouti Y.

Source: International Medical Case Reports Journal

Year: 2022

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

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.

Citation: Attiya N, Filali A, Fattahi R, Moujane S, Mazouz H, Amarouch MY, Filaly-Zegzouti Y. Preventive planning against mercury over-exposure among Moroccan dentists using multidimensional statistical methods. Work.(Preprint):1-2.