by Carol Carrozza
There is no doubt that the most important tools in dentistry are your hands, so choosing the right gloves should be a top priority. Barrier integrity, comfortable fit, and safe, nonallergenic materials are principal considerations. If a glove does not provide an intact barrier, it is not doing its job. Barrier effectiveness is defined as the ability of the glove material to withstand physical, bacterial, and viral penetration tests.
Gloves manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC, commonly referred to as "vinyl") are not a wise choice. Since vinyl molecules are not cross-linked, they tend to separate when the film is stretched and flexed, causing small holes and cracks that allow leakage to occur. In short, vinyl is the weakest of all glove materials, with poor elasticity and fit. Therefore, the use of vinyl gloves is not recommended where contact with blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious bodily fluids is likely to occur.
Latex, neoprene, and nitrile gloves are wise choices for hygienists due to their superior strength, puncture resistance, elasticity, and nonpermeable properties. Gloves manufactured with these materials tend to conform to the shape of the wearer's hands, providing excellent elasticity, comfort, and fit. Note: those with latex allergies should stay away from latex gloves, opting for neoprene and nitrile instead. Latex, neoprene, and nitrile gloves all feature a cross-linked molecular makeup. The individual molecules are linked together and provide a continuous interlocked structure that protects against blood-borne pathogens. Vinyl does not!
The barrier protection properties of medical and dental gloves can be divided into three categories:
• Tensile strength. Gloves should not tear when subjected to the pressure of donning or normal clinical usage.
• Abrasion and puncture resistance. Gloves should have no holes through which materials can pass and should be resistant to the formation of holes by puncture or abrasion.
• Permeability. The gloves should prevent the passage of bodily fluids and solutions and infectious or toxic materials contained therein.
Glove selection is serious business. To maximize barrier effectiveness, you may wish to choose a glove manufacturer that is reliable and experienced to ensure that your gloves will be of consistent quality and regularly available. Realize that a less expensive glove is not always the most economical. Selective glove choice can save money by appropriately matching the glove to the task at hand. And in the case of dentistry, latex, neoprene, and nitrile are the most appropriate choices in terms of fit, comfort, and above all, safety.
Carol Carrozza is Vice President Marketing — North America, professional and consumer products, at Ansell Healthcare.
