Hand Protection

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Hand Protection
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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!

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Latex Hypersensitivity

• Mild to Moderate
• Contact Dermatitis Localized Rash
• Non Allergic type Skin Dry Itchy
• Allergic Type IV Delayed reaction-
• appears over time 12-48 hrs
• Moderate to Severe Hypersensitivity
• Allergic Type I
• Immediate hypersensitivity may include runny
  nose, itchy eyes, hives, burning skin
• Severe reactions effect respiratory system

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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.
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Allergic Contact Dermatitis

• Results from exposure to chemicals added to latex
  during harvesting, processing or manufacturing.
  Rash usually begins 24- 48 hours after contact
  and may progress to oozing skin blisters.
• Latex allergy can be acquired over time.

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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.

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Incidence of latex reaction
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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 manufacturers instructions

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• 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

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Recommendations for Gloving

• 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

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Types of Procedural Gloves
Patient Procedure
Surgical
Housekeeping
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Housekeeping Gloves
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).
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Types of Patient Procedure Gloves
Nitril
Latex
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A Balancing Act Which to choose?
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Glove Fit

• Should be available in a variety of sizes and
  types
• May causes hand fatigue if gloves dont fit
  correctly
• Glove integrity may be compromised
• Injury is more likely to occur do to an ill
  fitting glove

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Example of Gloves that are too TIGHT
Will cause fatigue as fingers try to flex
Pulls too tightly across the palm. Will cause
fatigue at thumb joint.
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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.
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Example of Gloves that are JUST RIGHT!
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Taking off the first glove
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Taking off the second glove
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Disposal