Product Evaluation

For dental professionals, personal protective equipment is nonnegotiable. But when it comes to wearing gloves all day long, comfort and performance matter just as much as safety. A glove should fit seamlessly, move naturally, and perform reliably so clinicians can focus on patient care—not their hands.

Designed for performance without compromise, Henry Schein’s CRITERION Chloroprene Exam Gloves combine the natural fit and comfort of latex with the synthetic strength of nitrile, giving clinicians the best of both worlds. When Dr. Shannon Johnson reviewed the CRITERION Chloroprene Gloves for DPS, she observed this balance in her daily practice, describing them as “all-around great gloves that exceed expectations in every category.”

“I was looking for an affordable and comfortable glove that provides excellent tactile sense while performing appropriate infection control duties,” Dr. Johnson explained. Luckily, the CRITERION Chloroprene Gloves delivered on all counts. “They have a super comfortable fit with great grip. The gloves are easy to put on and quite durable, and they are now my go-to glove.”

Fit, Grip, and Tactile Sensitivity

The CRITERION Chloroprene Gloves deliver excellent dexterity and extended-wear comfort, providing clinicians with precision performance.

“The small size fits like a glove without extra material getting in my way,” shared hygienist Jessica Raymond-Allbritten. “The comfortable, snug fit allows for movement, and my hand wasn’t fatigued from the glove being too tight.”

Beatriz Lefran, RDH, was “able to work without hand fatigue because the gloves are not tight like nitrile gloves,” while Dr. Monika Tyszkowski suggested a tighter fit. Dr. Scott Turik noted, “The gloves are very nice quality and help with hand fatigue.”

Calling the gloves “an excellent product,” Jonathan Jones, AAS, RDH, continued, “The fit has been exceptional for my hands, with a perfect fit in the fingers. Even after very long, detailed procedures, my hands remain fatigue-free.”

Praising “the thickness of the glove without compromising tactile sensitivity,” Jones said, “The texture at the fingertips was far superior to other gloves. I had a firm, stable grip on instruments, even during procedures involving water spray.” Dr. Christi Clifford appreciated “the very good grip when doing root canals,” and Lefran said, “Even the doctor has switched to CRITERION Chloroprene Gloves because of the better grip and tactile sensitivity.”

Comfort and Softness

The chloroprene material provides the comfort and fit of latex but with the synthetic strength of nitrile.

“I have a latex allergy, and the gloves are much more comfortable than surgical latex gloves without the itching,” reported Saleem Baba, DDS. Lefran noted, “I love these gloves. They are very comfortable, and I no longer suffer from red, irritated hands.”

“I appreciate a glove that feels as comfortable as latex without patient allergy concerns,” Dr. Johnson said. “It’s one less thing to think about and makes working in the mouth a whole lot easier.” The gloves are “very comfortable and easy to wear,” said Dr. Janice Darko, who reported “no sweating on the fingers no matter how long the gloves were on.” Dr. Tyszkowski liked “the softness,” and Jones enjoyed “the silkiness of the inside of the glove.”

With a history of carpal tunnel syndrome, hygienist Amber Metro-Sanchez said her “hands and wrist were pain-free the entire day” after wearing these gloves. “They have the perfect amount of stretch and flexibility, allowing me to focus fully on the care I was providing to my patients,” she added. “I absolutely love them.”

Durability and Ease of Donning

With strength and a secure fit, CRITERION Chloroprene Gloves provide reliable protection, while a polymer coating allows for glide-on donning.

“I do a lot of oral surgery where thin nitrile gloves tear a lot, and these gloves are much thicker, completely solving that problem,” Dr. Baba shared. Calling the gloves “amazingly stretchy and resistant to tearing/ripping,” Dr. Thomas Nguyen said, “I did not have one case where the gloves ripped, which made it quick and easy to replace gloves during procedures.” Similarly, Jeremiah Harris, DMD, declared, “I did not have one glove that broke when putting on or taking off. I really enjoyed the overall performance of this glove.”

The gloves “don effortlessly and are very tear resistant,” agreed Dr. Turik. Noting that she loved the gloves’ green color and had no tears at all, Dr. Darko said their durability allowed her to “focus more on the patient.”

Overall Satisfaction

Noting that the “very nice gloves” are “very stress relieving,” Dr. Turik compared the quality of the CRITERION Chloroprene Gloves to a luxury car:

“If you are comparing a Chevrolet to a Cadillac, this glove is in the near-luxury group. Having used many brands of gloves over the years, these are in the top tier.”