dental worker wearing pink nitrile gloves and a floral mask

Gloves are the most important part of any medical facility.

 

Why do dentists choose nitrile gloves? — Disposable nitrile gloves are part of the dental staff’s personal protection equipment (PPE) used when completing exams and procedures. They provide a barrier of protection to the skin, resistance from tears, and durability. Nitrile gloves are produced from hypoallergenic synthetic materials, making them a safe alternative for those with latex allergies.

 

Latex Gloves vs. Nitrile Gloves

In the past, disposable latex gloves were the standard gloves used in hospitals and dental offices in Canada. That changed several years ago as latex allergies became more common, and nitrile gloves became the alternative.

 

Latex gloves are comprised of the following:

  • Made of natural rubber, usually coated in powder
  • Thin material– easily punctured
  • Low chemical resistance

 

Latex gloves can cause severe reactions in patients with latex allergies. These reactions can result in rashes, hives, and in urgent cases– anaphylactic shock. The thin material allows the gloves to tear easily, and low chemical resistance affects the integrity of the gloves causing them to disintegrate and expose the skin to hazardous materials.

 

Nitrile gloves are comprised of the following:

  • Made of synthetic rubber– no latex and powder-free
  • Thick material– superior grip and durability
  • High chemical resistance

 

One of many reasons dentists prefer nitrile gloves is the eliminated risk of an allergic reaction to latex. In addition, the dental staff uses many sharp dental supplies in the presence of saliva therefore the gloves used must provide a superior grip to eliminate injury. Nitrile gloves have high chemical resistance to most dentistry materials containing chemicals which is essential to maintain the barrier between the skin and minimize the risk of exposure.

 

When Should Dentist’s Not Use Disposable Nitrile Gloves?

 

In the dental office, there are some instances when nitrile gloves should not be used. It is recommended to use heavy-duty utility gloves when:

  • Transporting or scrubbing contaminated dental tools.
  • When handling hot instrument packs from the sterilizer as nitrile gloves are not intended to provide thermal protection.
  • Handling hazardous chemicals such as:
  1. Aromatic Solvents
  2. Ketones
  3. Acetates
  4. Concentrated acids
  5. Highly corrosive chemicals

 

Nitrile gloves have low chemical resistance to the above substances and will expose the skin to hazardous chemicals by permeating the gloves.

 

Nitrile Gloves Keep You Protected

 

Nitrile gloves are considered hypoallergenic– they do not contain natural rubber which is an essential feature for latex allergies. They are powder-free and will prevent contact dermatitis reactions in those who are sensitive.

 

Is The Color Of Nitrile Gloves Important? — The most popular nitrile glove color purchased from online dental supply companies and retail dental supply stores is black. Although the color does not affect the use of the gloves, black gloves are more likely to hide any staining and any blood when working in a surgical environment.

 

Consider Switching to Nitrile Gloves If You Haven’t Already!

 

The last consideration before buying nitrile gloves is cost. If you’re going to be going through a lot of them, you’re going to want to try and save some money. But you also can’t scrimp on the quality, because nobody likes to use poorly made gloves. Office morale is always a bit higher when the manager of said office gets good PPE for her staff. That’s why choosing maxill for your gloves is an excellent choice. There’s a wide range of different thicknesses, colors, sizes, and other attributes to choose from, at everyday lowest prices.

 

Article Content References

  1. Tabary, Mohammadreza, et al. “Dealing with Skin Reactions to Gloves during the Covid-19 Pandemic.” Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7231665/.
  2. “Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/summary-infection-prevention-practices/index.html.
  3. Chemical Resistance of Gloves – Quick Guide. http://ccc.chem.pitt.edu/wipf/Web/Chemical%20Resistance%20of%20Gloves.pdf.
  4. Latex Allergy - Statpearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545164/.