Hazards of gloves in dentistry

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Occupational Health
• Materials Science in Healthcare

Background:

• Increased use of gloves in medical and dental settings due to concerns about AIDS, hepatitis, and infection control.
• Gloves are widely assumed to be protective but pose numerous hazards to both practitioners and patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the hazards associated with glove use in medical and dental practices.
• To assess the effectiveness of gloves as barriers against infections and their impact on healthcare professionals and patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on glove properties, including porosity and material interactions.
• Analysis of reported adverse effects, including infections, allergic reactions, and impact on dexterity.
• Examination of regulatory requirements for glove use in healthcare.

Main Results:

• Gloves have large porosities, making them ineffective barriers against viruses.
• Glove use can promote bacterial growth, cause skin lesions, and lead to toxic/allergic reactions.
• Gloves do not prevent penetrating injuries, a primary route for HIV and HBV transmission among healthcare workers.
• Gloves can be costly, reduce dexterity, and are time-consuming to use.

Conclusions:

• The benefits of glove use do not always outweigh their liabilities, particularly in dentistry.
• Universal glove-wear compliance mandated by regulations may not serve the best public or professional interests.
• A critical evaluation of glove use is necessary, weighing risks against benefits in specific clinical scenarios.