The use of powdered gloves in dental practice: a cause for concern?

To critically review the potential hazards associated with the use of powdered, natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves in dental practice and to report some practical difficulties which may be encountered when handling dental materials with powdered NRL gloves.

Articles published in the international literature over the last 10 years.

A number of recent studies in the medical and surgical literature have confirmed that NRL proteins leach out of latex gloves and bind to surgical glove powders. The most serious, potential hazard associated with the continued use of powdered NRL gloves in dental practice is that of latex sensitization by exposure to aerosolized NRL proteins. Hand dermatitis is now recognized as an occupational hazard in dentistry and has been associated with the continuous wearing of protective gloves. Studies, in the dermatological literature, have suggested that glove powders may exacerbate an irritant dermatitis and enhance the potential for adverse reactions to other components of NRL gloves. The surgical literature has already highlighted the risks of post-operative granuloma formation, due to glove powder contamination of the surgical wound. The possible effects of powder contamination of dental implant sites, on the outcome and success of implants has yet to be established. Recent in vitro studies have investigated the effect of latex glove contamination on the shear-bond strength of porcelain laminate veneers: one study demonstrated that starch powder significantly affected the bond strength, whereas the other showed that latex glove contamination of the porcelain surface did not have any significant effect. Long-term, in vivo studies are now required.

Dental practitioners should consider the potential health risks which are associated with the use of powdered NRL in dental practice. Powder contamination may affect the long-term results and success of clinical procedures in dentistry.