Dentist question

busiscoming2

Do dentists change their latex (or whatever) gloves between patients? Mine seems to have them on when I go in and I never see him take them off before I leave the room? I know when we all go as a family for check ups he leaves the same gloves on, but I suppose that is usual?

welshdent

I should imagine it would be normal to change their gloves between patients - does he wash his gloves between each check up on the family?

busiscoming2

welshdent wrote: »

I should imagine it would be normal to change their gloves between patients - does he wash his gloves between each check up on the family?

No he doesn't.

welshdent

alcohol gel used?

busiscoming2

welshdent wrote: »

alcohol gel used?

No nothing!

Toothsmith

For this very reason I make sure my patients always see me putting them on at least, and taking them off as well if I can.

My nurses and I also have a little 'game' where we try and make as many references to various parts of the cross-infection control process as we can in front of the patient.

"has that scaler come out of the autoclave yet"
"No, it's still being sterilised, shall I get the sterile one from the other surgery?"

"Can you open another sterile examination pack please?"

And the like. Our patients (hopefully) would never need to doubt that we steralize things between patients!

Changing gloves between patients should be routine these days. Alcohol rub between younger siblings at the very very least.

joyfull

I've often wondered this, especially after once seeing a patient leave the dentist just before I went in. She had an air of 'unwashed' to say the least. I just prayed everything was sterilised. It's not the sort of thing one can ask without causing offense.

jugglebug

I left a practice because the boss wanted me to keep the same pair of gloves between patients, ick
I will often change my gloves 3 or 4 times in a single patient treatment as if I need to go into a storage unit, open a box etc I need clean hands to go in, ie not covered in patient spit. so it is deglove, get item, new gloves.
Also change em after taking impressions or something if I have impression material or whatnot stuck to em and it will get in the way for whatever I need to do next for that patient.
Wont even wear the same pair for same family members.
I even wear them when treating my wife as it just feels wrong not to, and I am fairly sure she cant catch anything off me and vice versa that we dont already share:rotfl:

busiscoming2

I am looking into changing dentists!!! Would it be a strange to ask at a potential dentist reception if their dentists change gloves?

welshdent

tbh I think it should be taken for granted that they change their gloves

alison999

busiscoming2 wrote: »

I am looking into changing dentists!!! Would it be a strange to ask at a potential dentist reception if their dentists change gloves?

Chances are the receptionist wouldnt know - shes on reception. Chances are she'll just say 'yes' since that is what the dentist should be doing. Though what people should do and what they actually do are very different things.

Id ask the dentist himself or, if you dont feel comfortable with that ask the manager