Significance of allergies to dental practice

Allergies can occur to drugs, food, insect bites, or environmental substances (eg pollen). Patients may have multiple allergies or have an allergic response to something they have been previously exposed to without incident. After exposure to an allergen, the onset of an allergic reaction can be immediate or delayed.

Always check for a history of allergy before starting dental treatment. Instruct a patient with a known anaphylactic allergy to bring their adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjector when attending for dental treatment.

Although they occur rarely, the most common allergies encountered in dental practice are to antimicrobials (see also Antimicrobial hypersensitivity), local anaesthetics and latex. Document any suspected allergic reaction and consider referring the patient for confirmation of the allergy.