Getting The Upper Hand in Glove Selection

Natural Rubber Latex exam gloves provide essential barrier protection to dentists and hygienists day in and day out. Without them, dental professionals are put at a significant health risk. Yet, patient priorities and other office tasks make the brand selection of gloves more or less an afterthought.

Dental hygienists may wear up to 40 pairs of gloves in a day. With every new patient comes at least one new pair of gloves, and at least one more procedure - procedures that demand dexterity to perform some precise activities.

By the end of a day, hands can be fatigued possibly causing cramping. Suddenly, performing exacting procedures becomes more difficult, and results of the work potentially less satisfying.

Wide Range of Choices

There seem to be as many latex exam glove manufacturers and distributors to select from as there are hands to fill them. Throw in synthetic gloves and the list grows significantly. Many times, a different box of gloves is kept on hand for each person in the office, as each has a personal preference.

More often than not, those preferences are based upon individual experiences with the glove. Consequently, health care professionals tend to order the brand they wore yesterday. If there were no problems with fit, tear-outs or powdering (and the price was right), those same gloves would be okay today.

To help relieve the hassle, and ensure you get the glove that's best for you, here are a few thoughts to consider when deciding which gloves to order the next time the supply runs low.

Look for Low Protein Content

The Food and Drug Administration has suggested that lowering protein levels in gloves will significantly reduce the risk and incidence of problems associated with latex sensitivity. As a result, many glove manufacturers are improving processes to ensure lower protein content.

Despite the many protein level statements made by glove manufacturers, the only claim you can trust is the one that is printed on the box. Furthermore, the FDA must have approved any claims printed on the box after the glove maker has conducted strict testing.

Making a Choice: Powder versus Powder Free

Many users prefer powdered gloves because they are easier to put on and take off, especially when their hands are wet from washing between patient visits.

Others opt for powder free gloves because of concerns over protein content, even though some manufacturers, such as DASH, have shown that protein levels in powdered gloves can be reduced down near the level of powder free gloves.

Get a Proper Fit

Poor fitting gloves, especially when too small, tend to draw the muscles of the hand inward - causing resistance against movement. As a result, your ability to perform exacting procedures in tight areas can be hindered. This can also cause fatigue by the end of a week, even the end of a day.

So, look for a glove which is most closely fitted to your hand size. Most manufacturers produce gloves ranging in three or four sizes. Some may offer as many as six sizes. Naturally, more sizes offered means a better chance of finding a glove which will best suit your needs.

Look for Consistency

As a dental hygienist, you don as many as 200 gloves a week. So you deserve a glove which feels the same every time. Look for those that are consistently sized and, in the case of powdered gloves, evenly coated.

If you pull a size six out of the box one time, the next pair out of that box should fit like a size six too. The resistance to hand movement should be minimal, and it should feel the same - every time.

Place a Value on Price

Exam gloves can vary greatly in price depending on the quality and type of the glove. Savings can be realized many times over by ordering direct from a manufacturer, or ordering in larger quantities.

Exam gloves are critical to your comfort and safety, as well as your patients'. Remember these tips the next time you're considering which brand is right for you.