CHAPTER 12. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Question 1

PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT

Answer 1

Barriers important to prevent
exposure to microorganisms:
* Gloves
* Masks
* Protective eyewear
* Protective clothing
* OSHA requires the employer
to be responsible for
maintaining, cleaning, and
disposing of these barriers

Question 2

LIMITATIONS OF GLOVES

Answer 2

Manufacturing process for
patient care gloves can
result in a low level of
pinholes
FDA has strict requirements to
ensure high quality
High level of protection
against direct contact with
infectious agents
Little protection against
injuries with sharp objects

Question 2

PROTECTIVE
VALUE OF
GLOVES

Answer 2

Protection of
dental team
Protection of
patients

Question 3

USES
AND
TYPES OF
GLOVES

Answer 3

Disposable gloves
should be worn
during all patient
care activities
Gloves used for
patient care should
not be reused on
subsequent patients
Torn or punctured
gloves should be
removed as soon as
possible

Question 4

HARMFUL REACTIONS TO
GLOVES

Answer 4

Some health care workers have harmful reactions
from latex gloves or airborne glove materials
Three types of reactions
may occur with gloving
Irritant contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis
Latex allergy

Question 4

IRRITANT
CONTACT
DERMATITIS

Answer 4

Nonimmunological
irritation of the skin
from nonlatex
chemicals in the
gloves
Hands become dry,
reddened, itchy, or
even cracked
To prevent
recurrence, need to
identify the irritant
and perform proper
glove hygiene

Question 5

ALLERGIC
CONTACT
DERMATITIS

Answer 5

Four types of immunological
hypersensitivities (allergies)
occur (I to IV)
Allergic contact dermatitis
(type IV) most frequently
occurring reaction to gloves
Limited to the areas of
contact

Question 6

LATEX
ALLERGY

Answer 6

A type I hypersensitivity
Symptoms usually occur
within 20 minutes after
contact with NRL products
Exposure to NRL protein
allergens present in the glove
cornstarch powder is a
concern

Question 7

MASKS
ARE A
MUST

Answer 7

Wearing a mask protects
against inhalation of
disease agents that might
be present in sprays,
spatter, or even some
aerosols
Protects mucous
membranes of the nose
and mouth of dental
team

Question 8

USES AND
TYPES OF
MASKS

Answer 8

• Should be worn during patient
  care activities involving:
• High-speed or low-speed
  handpieces
• Ultrasonic scalers
• Air/water syringes
• Oral irrigators

Question 9

PROTECTIVE
EYEWEAR

Answer 9

Infectious disease
(herpes simplex
and hepatitis B)
Physical damage
to the eyes
Patients should
be offered eye
protection as well

Question 10

USES AND TYPES OF
EYEWEAR

Answer 10

Goggles
Glasses (with
or without
shields)
Face shield

Question 11

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Answer 11

The outer layer of clothing that protects/covers underlying work
clothes or skin
Dental team members can also be contaminated chairside by
sprayed microorganisms on the forearms, chest area, and the
lap
Disposable gowns with long sleeves are a convenient
approach

Question 13

EXAMPLE
OF
PROTECTIVE
CLOTHING

Answer 13

Protective clothing
should be removed
when leaving
clinical areas
OSHA’s bloodborne
pathogens
standard applies to
protective clothing

Question 14

PLACING AND REMOVING
EQUIPMENT BARRIERS

Answer 14

Putting on and taking off barriers should be done in a
sequence that limits further spread of microorganisms

Question 15

PROPERTIES OF
PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT

Answer 15

There are many properties to consider before making a
selection