1. Use of Personal Protective Equipment
Dr. Raghunath Puttaiah

2. What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
A barrier that protects the employee from hazards such as—
Bloodborne pathogens
Blood, saliva, other body fluids, tissues
Chemical Hazards
Disinfectants/sterilants, ultrasonic solution, acids (used in etching), monomers, etc.
Dust and Mist
Acrylic powder, filings during trimming of acrylic dentures, plaster, etc.

3. Barriers commonly used in dentistry
Gloves
Masks
Eyewear
Gowns
Bonnets & Shoe-covers

4. PPE used chair-side 5. Over-gloves 1. Powder-free Exam Gloves 2. Gown
3. Eyewear with Side-shields
4. Mask

5. Personal Protective Equipment
Anticipated Exposure to Splash and Spatter
Anticipated Exposure to Chemical Hazards and Breathable Particulate Matter
Full PPE

6. Minimal PPE No splash and spatter ?? Exam without use of AWS
No exposure to fine particles
Removal of sutures
Exam gloves are sufficient

7. Full PPE – in the clinical area
Eyewear
Eyewear & Sideshields OR
Face Shield
Fluid Resistant Mask
Exam Gloves
Fluid Resistant Gown

8. Eye protection Protective eyewear or goggles
For a clinician
Protective eyewear or goggles
Prescription glasses with side-shields
Face-shield
(with mask)
For the patient

9. Gloves Exam gloves (single-use-disposable
Powder-free (preferable)
Latex – inexpensive but could be allergenic
Polyurethane – strong and non-allergenic
Nitrile – strong and non-allergenic
Vinyl – non-allergenic
Over-gloves (to avoid cross-contamination)
Utility gloves
Nitrile gloves
Puncture and cut resistant to handle contaminated sharps
Neoprene gloves
Handle hot objects and to avoid burns/scalds (while removing sterile instrument packs from sterilizer)

10. Examples of gloves Nitrile Utility Over glove Non-latex Exam

11. Masks Masks are to be worn to reduce the risk of splash and spatter
Masks must be fluid resistant

12. Latex….. Is it safe
Delayed reaction (Type 4) also called “Allergic Contact Dermatitis”
Symptoms
Swollen, red, dry, cracked or itchy skin
These may take about 48 hours
Reasons
Reaction to chemical used in glove-making
Reaction to natural rubber or synthetic glove products
Immediate reaction (Type 1) also called “Systemic Anaphylaxis”
Hives, wheezing, runny nose, itchy eyes
Signs
Hypotension, arrhythmias, difficulty in breathing or DEATH
Type 4 can turn into a Type 1 reaction ANYTIME
AGD Impact 1993, 21(4):2-7.

13. Reaction to gloves and glove materials

14. Reaction to gloves and glove materials

15. What can one use if allergic
Glove liners
Wear glove liners
Then wear gloves
Gloves