Patch Test Results With Dental Series: An 18‐Year Retrospective Study

Background Dental treatments are increasingly common; materials continuously evolve, while long‐term detailed data of hypersensitivity reactions are limited. Objectives Investigating the prevalence, characteristics, co‐sensitisation rates of metals, (meth)acrylates and other allergens related to the medical history of dental patients at a university centre in Hungary. Methods This retrospective study included 918 patients patch tested between 2007 and 2024 with dental screening series, stratified into pre‐defined clinical subgroups. Results 60.3% of the tested patients were positive for at least one allergen. Metal hypersensitivity was detected in 51.4%, (meth)acrylate in 6.1%, ‘other’ allergens in 21.8%. Mostly multiple positive patch test reactions were observed (69%). Reactions first becoming positive only on D7 were observed in 68.4% of the tested allergens. Among patients with gingivostomatitis, oral lichenoid reaction, glossitis and cheilitis, a dominantly mixed metal sensitisation pattern was typical, while in the subgroup of facial oedema/urticaria, subjective complaints and pre‐implantation, nonspecific hypersensitivity pattern. Conclusion Metals were the most frequent dental contact allergens, but comprehensive oral screening series should also include non‐metal allergens for diagnostic accuracy. 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate was not a reliable screening marker for (meth)acrylates. The evaluation of the patch test until D7 is necessary. Patch testing without objective symptoms and positive history of allergic contact dermatitis was ineffective.