Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to personal protective equipment (PPE) and related barriers used in dental settings.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protective gear used to shield dental team and patients from exposure to microorganisms, including gloves, masks, protective eyewear, and protective clothing; OSHA requires employers to maintain, clean, and dispose of barriers.

Barriers

Protective items that prevent exposure to microorganisms: gloves, masks, protective eyewear, and protective clothing.

Gloves

Disposable hand protection worn during all patient care activities; should not be reused between patients; torn or punctured gloves should be removed as soon as possible.

Exam gloves

Disposable gloves used during patient care activities to provide barrier protection.

Utility gloves

Gloves used for non-patient-care tasks or tasks requiring extra protection.

Heat resistant gloves

Gloves designed to resist heat for procedures involving hot instruments or materials.

Torn or punctured gloves

Gloves should be removed as soon as possible to maintain barrier integrity.

Pinholes in gloves

Manufacturing defects can create small pinholes; FDA requires high quality to minimize pinholes.

Latex allergy

Type I hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex proteins; symptoms often appear within about 20 minutes; cornstarch powder in gloves can be a concern; cross-reactivity with certain fruits (e.g., bananas, kiwis, avocados, chestnuts) may occur.

Irritant contact dermatitis

Non-immunological skin irritation from non-latex glove chemicals; hands become dry, red, itchy, or cracked; prevent by identifying irritant and practicing proper glove hygiene; dry hands before donning.

Allergic contact dermatitis

Immunological hypersensitivity (types I–IV); type IV is the most common reaction to gloves; eliminate contact with the triggering agent.

Masks

Face coverings that protect against inhalation of sprays, spatter, and aerosols; protect mucous membranes of nose and mouth; should be worn with all patients.

BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency)

Percentage indicating how effectively a mask filters bacteria; commonly 95% for dental masks.

Surgical masks

Masks recommended for procedures that generate splashes or spatter; should be changed with every patient; also provides protection when talking to others.

Surgical N95 respirators

Respirators that provide protection against airborne infections; force inhaled air to pass through the filter; CDC guidance (2020) recommends use in dental offices in communities with moderate to substantial COVID-19 transmission.

NIOSH N95 (example: 3M 1860)

A commonly used NIOSH-approved respirator model used to protect against airborne hazards.

Protective eyewear

Protects against infectious diseases (e.g., herpes simplex, hepatitis B) and physical damage to eyes; patients should be offered eye protection as well.

Goggles

Protective eyewear that provides a seal around the eyes to protect against splashes and droplets.

Glasses with shields

Eyewear with front shields and side protection for facial coverage.

Face shield

Clear plastic shield that covers the entire face; used in conjunction with other PPE for added protection.

Protective clothing

Outer layer protecting clothing and skin; disposable gowns with long sleeves; should be removed when leaving clinical areas; laundering is the employer’s responsibility and overseen under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard.

Laundering of protective clothing

Employer is responsible for laundering protective clothing, either in-office or through external services.

Order of putting on and removing PPE (Box 12-5)

A specific sequence to don and doff PPE to limit spread; touch as little as possible and avoid contaminating surfaces with gloves.

Properties of Protective Equipment (Box 12-6)

Guidance on various options and features to consider when selecting gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing.

Sharps container

A puncture-resistant container for disposing of sharps; gloves provide limited protection against injuries from sharp objects.