Gloves & Masks Fit to Protect

Patterson Dental’s portfolio of personal protective equipment (PPE) can prove crucial to any practice’s safety culture—and apparently, DPS readers agree. When dentists and hygienists put these gloves and masks to the test, they couldn’t help commenting positively on their fi t, comfort, tactile feel, and protection.

Comfort: Protect and Serve

Dr. Jeffrey Greene, who participated in the DPS product review of Patterson Chloroprene  Examination Gloves, was looking for a glove that he could wear during long procedures without discomfort or sweating. He described the Patterson gloves as “comfortable with a silky feel” and said they prevented fatigue and sweating. “The grip was comfortable through appointments. The gloves let me do long procedures without feeling that my hands were tired,” he added.

The tactile sensitivity of exam gloves also aids comfort as well as the ability to securely grip instruments. Dr. Pooja Saroha, for example, noted that Patterson Chloroprene Examination Gloves offered “better grip, especially during long procedures,” and Lisa Juliana, RDH, said, “The tactile feel is as if I don’t have a glove on, and I love that.”

Clinicians with small hands frequently struggle to find gloves that fit. Donna Chuchla, RDH, found her glass slipper when she evaluated Patterson’s TactileGuard Ultra Next Generation Gloves, which she deemed a “perfect fit.”

Strength: Guard and Resist

Ultimately, you want PPE to prevent the spread of infection within the operatory. To do that effectively, equipment must be strong enough to resist tears and durable enough to withstand prolonged procedures.

“These gloves were thin but strong,” Dr. Haley Tate said when he reviewed TactileGuard Ultra Next Generation Gloves. Dr. Richard Pyun echoed those sentiments when describing Patterson Chloroprene Examination Gloves, describing them as “a good non-latex option with good tear resistance.”

Additionally, PPE must meet industry and regulatory standards, and the Procedure Earloop Mask for Sensitive Skin provides ASTM Level 3 protection. Dr. Suzanne Setayesh described the mask as “better than many other Level 3 masks,” and Maryann Olmsted, RDH, said, “It exceeded my expectations in providing a barrier to prevent respiratory droplets.” Jori McClure, RDH, said she found them “very gentle on the skin.”