Hand Protection

Gloves  Minimize the risk of acquiring infections from patients  Prevent microbial flora from being transmitted from dental health care providers to patients  Reduce contamination of the hands of dental health providers by microbial flora that can be transmitted from patient to patient  Are not a substitute for hand washing!

Latex Hypersensitivity  Mild to Moderate  Contact Dermatitis – Localized Rash Non Allergic type – Skin Dry & Itchy Allergic Type IV: Delayed reaction- appears over time hrs  Moderate to Severe Hypersensitivity  Allergic Type I Immediate hypersensitivity – may include runny nose, itchy eyes, hives, ‘burning’ skin Severe reactions effect respiratory system  Mild to Moderate  Contact Dermatitis – Localized Rash Non Allergic type – Skin Dry & Itchy Allergic Type IV: Delayed reaction- appears over time hrs  Moderate to Severe Hypersensitivity  Allergic Type I Immediate hypersensitivity – may include runny nose, itchy eyes, hives, ‘burning’ skin Severe reactions effect respiratory system

Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Most common reaction to latex products. Dry, itchy, irritated areas on the skin, usually the hands. Not a true allergy.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Results from exposure to chemicals added to latex during harvesting, processing or manufacturing. Rash usually begins hours after contact and may progress to oozing skin blisters. Latex allergy can be acquired over time.

Latex Allergy (Type 1 or immediate): The most serious of the reactions that usually begins within minutes of exposure to latex, can occur hours later with a variety of symptoms.

Incidence of latex reaction

In Summary:  Hand washing  Wet hands with cool or lukewarm water, apply soap, rub hands together for at least 15 seconds  Rinse and dry with disposable towel  Use towel to turn off faucet  Hand rubs  Apply to palm of one hand, rub hands together covering all surfaces until dry  Volume: Based on manufacturer’s instructions

 Wear gloves when contacting blood, saliva, and mucous membranes  Remove gloves immediately torn, cut or punctured  Remove gloves after patient care  Do not wash, disinfect or sterilize gloves for reuse

 Wear gloves when contact with blood, saliva, and mucous membranes is possible  Remove gloves immediately that are torn, cut or punctured  Remove gloves after patient care  Do not wash, disinfect or sterilize gloves for reuse  Wear gloves when contact with blood, saliva, and mucous membranes is possible  Remove gloves immediately that are torn, cut or punctured  Remove gloves after patient care  Do not wash, disinfect or sterilize gloves for reuse Recommendations for Gloving:

Types of Procedural Gloves” Patient Procedure Surgical Housekeeping

Look closely at the gloves you choose! Vinyl gloves used to clean the operatory look very similar to the latex gloves. It is hard to tell the difference between them. (Vinyl is thicker to the feel). Housekeeping Gloves

Types of Patient Procedure Gloves: Nitril Latex

NITRIL LATEX More natural oils and chemicals that cause allergies Less puncture resistance Best stretch factor, more comfortable to wear Cheaper to purchase Greater resistance to punctures Integrity of material is stronger Less pliability, therefore, less comfortable to wear A Balancing Act: Which to choose?

Glove Fit:  Should be available in a variety of sizes and types  May causes hand fatigue if gloves don’t fit correctly  Glove integrity may be compromised  Injury is more likely to occur do to an ill fitting glove

Example of Gloves that are too TIGHT Pulls too tightly across the palm. Will cause fatigue at thumb joint. Will cause fatigue as fingers try to flex

Example of Gloves that are too LOOSE Gloves that are too large pose a danger as excess glove material can catch on something and tear. Tactile sensitivity during procedures is greatly reduced as well.

Example of Gloves that are JUST RIGHT!

Taking off the first glove:

4. 5.

Taking off the second glove: 1. 2.

Disposal: