Choosing the right exam gloves is essential for safety, comfort, and performance. Different tasks require different levels of protection, durability, and tactile sensitivity. DASH® Medical offers a full range of nitrile, latex, vinyl, and polychloroprene exam gloves designed to meet every application—from general tasks in healthcare and dental to higher risk scenarios in correction/EMS. Understanding Glove Performance Levels When selecting disposable exam gloves, consider risk level, dexterity needs, and durability. If you are working in an environment with potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluids, you should always wear a medical-grade examination glove. Gloves generally fall into five performance categories:
As thickness increases, protection is sustained while offering additional durability—thinner gloves offer increased touch sensitivity.
DASH® Medical Exam Glove Options
Find Your Glove with DASH Medical From lightweight vinyl to heavy-duty nitrile, DASH Medical offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality disposable exam gloves designed to meet the demands of diverse healthcare settings. → Explore the full selection at dashmedical.com and find the right glove for every job. |
| Performance Category | Barrier Description & Ideal Use |
|---|---|
| Light Duty | Low-cost and basic barrier protection. Ideal for non-medical needs, food service, and sanitation. |
| High Tactility | Delivers high touch sensitivity with reliable barrier protection. Ideal for medical tasks requiring precision. |
| Mid Duty | Engineered for reliable performance balancing comfort and strength in a variety of settings. |
| Heavy Duty | Provides increased puncture resistance and durability for extended use. Ideal for EMS, corrections, and industrial safety. |
| High Risk | Provides extended cuff length for enhanced wrist and forearm protection in high-risk emergency environments. |
| Performance Level | Light Duty | High Tactility | Mid Duty | Heavy Duty | High Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Need / Application | Basic barrier coverage | Detailed procedures | Engineered for a wide-variety of tasks | Increased durability | Extended cuff |
| Mil Thickness | Variable | ~2-3mil | ~4mil | ~5-7mil | Variable |
| Recommended Industries | Food handling Childcare Light cleaning | Dental Healthcare Electrology | Dental Healthcare Laboratory Clinical | Corrections Food processing Manufacturing Automotive | Corrections EMS Food processing |
| Glove Profile | Light, may not be form-fitting | Thin, delivers a second skin feel | Slightly Thicker | Thick, preferred for rugged applications | Preferred for higher risk settings |
March 2026 Blog Post by Nick Rinaldi - DASH® Product Manager