Why Dental Gloves Matter And How To Pick a Pair

When it comes to purchasing dental gloves for the practice, it can be easy to simply buy what’s cheapest or whatever meets infection control requirements. While this might seem shrewd at first, it can quickly lead to everyday discomfort, poorer handling and inferior protection.Long term consequences can include hand fatigue and overspending on gloves that are not durable enough or have a short shelf life. Taking some time to source good quality dental gloves can help keep the team happy, patients safe and improve overall efficiency.

Why protecting your hands is so important

Dentist and dental nurses are required to wear patient examination gloves for all non-surgical treatments and routine examinations. The primary reason for this is to prevent contamination of the dentist’s hands from blood or saliva and to prevent transmission of infection from the dentist’s hands to the patient. Hands should be disinfected prior to donning gloves and a new pair should be worn for each patient.

Are nitrile gloves puncture resistant?

Because it is a stronger material, nitrile gloves are more resistant to puncture than latex gloves. However, no examination glove can completely protect from all puncture hazards as no material is 100% puncture-proof. While this means that dental gloves cannot provide a barrier to sharps injuries, they can provide protection as any sharp passing through the glove to break the skin may be ‘wiped’ on the glove before wounding.

Does size matter?

Size matters a great deal when it comes to dental gloves. Gloves that are too big and loose can slip off accidentally, cause a distraction, provide a weaker grip and give less protection from cross-contamination. Gloves that are too small or too tight can decrease dexterity, be uncomfortable, affect blood supply and cause stress that can result in tears. You can use our Dental Gloves Size Guide for more information on how to measure up and find the right fit.