3 Do’s and Don’ts: Gloves in the Dental Setting

Keeping your hands clean and protected in the dental setting is important to your patient.

In some procedures, clinicians use over gloves in dentistry when they need temporary protection that allows them to handle charts, adjust equipment, or complete non-patient contact tasks without removing their primary gloves.This added layer helps maintain proper infection control while reducing unnecessary glove changes during routine tasks.

In this video, Michelle Strange, RDH, shares three dos and three don’ts to keep in mind when it comes to gloves in the dental setting.

➤ Make hand hygiene a priority
➤ Ensure the glove material won’t cause an allergic reaction
➤ Choose gloves that fit properly for each member

Addressing common dental assistant glove complaints, such as allergic reactions, skin irritation, tearing, and improper fit, requires choosing high-quality materials designed for comfort, durability, and long-term wear.

Your patient’s safety is important. Ensure that you manage and maintain your dental equipment so you can protect your patients while operating at maximum efficiency.

Understanding why gloves should be worn during a dental cleaning reinforces the importance of preventing cross-contamination and protecting both the patient and provider from exposure to saliva, blood, and bioaerosols.

Dentists wear gloves to protect both patients and dental professionals during care. Here are the main reasons:

• Prevent cross-contamination: Gloves create a barrier against bacteria, viruses, blood, and saliva, reducing the spread of infections between patients and staff.

• Maintain infection control standards: Wearing gloves is a core requirement of dental hygiene and safety protocols worldwide.

• Protect patients: Clean, intact gloves help ensure that instruments and hands don’t introduce harmful microorganisms into the mouth.

• Protect dental professionals: Gloves shield dentists and assistants from exposure to bodily fluids, chemicals, and sharp instruments.

• Support a sterile clinical environment: Gloves help maintain cleanliness during examinations, cleanings, and procedures.
  

In short, gloves are essential for safety, hygiene, and trust in dental care, helping ensure every patient receives treatment in a clean and controlled environment.

For more assistance contact, your local Hayes representative to help ensure that your staff and practice are compliant with your local Hayes Handpiece representative