In response to the fact that people in dental healthcare settings may be occupationally exposed to a wide range of microorganisms and bacteria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed guidelines for infection control in dentistry to provide new recommendations for infection control in the dental environment for those involved.

The guidelines also focus on the importance of hand hygiene for dental staff and require them to use personal protective equipment such as gloves. In dental care setting, dental professionals typically wear gloves when treating patients or when they need to come into contact with various chemicals, blood and saliva.Wearing gloves helps to prevent contamination and reduces the likelihood that microorganisms on the hands of the dental worker being transmitted when they contact the patients. For hand protection, both the Centers for Disease Controland the Occupational Health and Safety Administration recommend the use of nitrile gloves in the dental environment. Nitrile gloves are latex-free that reducing the risk of allergic reactions in patients,and provide a safe barrier for patients and dental staffs to protect them from bacteria and pathogens. Nitrile gloves also have four properties that make them ideal for use in dentistry.

1. Excellent puncture and tear resistance

Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic nitrile rubber, which has excellent puncture resistance and tear resistance. The puncture resistance of Nitrile gloves helps to effectively protect the hands of dental professionals, as puncture wound from contaminated dental instruments is one of the main dangers for them when treating patients. It is also worth noting that nitrile gloves tear completely once punctured, which is a sign that the gloves should be replaced in a timely manner and avoids the hazards of not recognizing glove damage in time.

2. Resistant to chemicals

Compared to other types of gloves, nitrile gloves are known for their chemical resistance. They have excellent barrier effect on organic chemicals such as acids and alkalis. Dental professionalds often come into contact with mercury, acid, alkali and other chemicals in their daily routine. The chemical resistance of nitrile gloves can maximize the protection of dental professionals’ hands and reduce the possibility of injuries in their work.

3. Superior tactile sensitivity and comfort

Tactile sensitivity is the ability to perceive and differentiate between different textures and objects through touch.. Nitrile gloves are second only to latex gloves in terms of tactile sensitivity and comfort. Dental professionals have to handle many delicate tasks on a daily basis. Only by wearing gloves with high dexterity can they more accurately judge various materials and situations and provide timely solutions. Furthermore,nitrile gloves usually fit well with hands and are comfortable to wear, which meets the needs of dental personnel for long-term wear.

4. Powder-free gloves

Powdered gloves have gained favor in many applications because they are easier to put on and take off. However, nitrile gloves in the dental treatment environment need to come into direct contact with the patient's mouth, using powdered gloves can easily affect the patient's respiratory system and possibly lead to latex allergies. As a result, dental professionals prefer to use powder-free gloves to provide a more comfortable and safe patient experience.

In conclusion, nitrile gloves are becoming the choice of more and more dental organizations. In the future, let's expect nitrile gloves to be more useful and explore more possibilities of them in the field of dentistry.