OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the attitudes of patients on the importance of glove wearing by dentists. DESIGN: A patient survey using a self-completed patient questionnaire. SETTING: Ireland. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 164 consecutive patients attending a dental accident and emergency department were asked to participate. All the patients were aged 16 years or over. Of the surveyed patients, 157 completed a questionnaire designed to elucidate the patients' attitudes to the wearing of gloves by dentists. RESULTS: Most patients (93.6%; n = 147) considered that dentists should routinely wear gloves, while 1.9% (n = 3) thought the wearing of gloves was unnecessary. 94.9% (n = 149) considered that gloves were worn to protect both the dentist and the patient, with 1.9% (n = 3) feeling that only the dentist was protected. 72% of patients (n = 113) would not attend a dentist who did not wear gloves. 87.2% (n = 138) of patients thought that the dentist should change gloves between patients, while 1.3% (n = 2) considered glove washing to be sufficient. The remaining 11.4% (n = 17) felt that this decision should be left to the dentist. CONCLUSION: The majority of surveyed individuals indicated that dentists should wear gloves while treating patients. The results suggest that many patients refuse to have dental treatment carried out by a dentist who does not wear gloves.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the attitudes of patients on the importance of glove wearing by dentists. DESIGN: A patient survey using a self-completed patient questionnaire. SETTING: Ireland. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 164 consecutive patients attending a dental accident and emergency department were asked to participate. All the patients were aged 16 years or over. Of the surveyed patients, 157 completed a questionnaire designed to elucidate the patients' attitudes to the wearing of gloves by dentists. RESULTS: Most patients (93.6%; n = 147) considered that dentists should routinely wear gloves, while 1.9% (n = 3) thought the wearing of gloves was unnecessary. 94.9% (n = 149) considered that gloves were worn to protect both the dentist and the patient, with 1.9% (n = 3) feeling that only the dentist was protected. 72% of patients (n = 113) would not attend a dentist who did not wear gloves. 87.2% (n = 138) of patients thought that the dentist should change gloves between patients, while 1.3% (n = 2) considered glove washing to be sufficient. The remaining 11.4% (n = 17) felt that this decision should be left to the dentist. CONCLUSION: The majority of surveyed individuals indicated that dentists should wear gloves while treating patients. The results suggest that many patients refuse to have dental treatment carried out by a dentist who does not wear gloves.