Latex gloves and manual dexterity. A study of 50 Midwest dentists

Fifty practicing dentists were each given a series of tests to perform in their own offices with and without gloves on to determine how the use of gloves affected the performance of dental operations. While wearing gloves did not appreciably influence speed, it significantly reduced manual dexterity and light touch perception. And there was a high correlation between wearing gloves and hand dermatitis. Increased age was associated with a slight loss in speed and dexterity but not light touch perception. Women produced better scores than men in all tests.