COMFORT AND FRICTIONAL-PROPERTIES OF DENTAL GLOVES

Objectives: A survey of general dental practitioners and dental surger y assistants was carried out to ascertain their preferences and opinio ns on powder-free hydrogel-coated gloves compared with starch-powdered gloves. The aim was to relate the survey findings to laboratory measu rements of the frictional characteristics of glove inner surfaces and their water absorptive capability. Methods: The survey was carried out using a questionnaire given to local dental practitioners. Glove fric tion and water absorption measurements were made using specially desig ned equipment. Results: The survey showed that a selected group of den tists and dental surgery assistants preferred hydrogel-coated gloves, particularly for damp donning, durability and long-term wear comfort. Laboratory measurements showed that the hydrogel coating gave a low fr iction coefficient against damp skin. The coating was durable, and abs orbed water more readily than other treatments. Conclusion: A survey o f dental practitioners and dental surgery assistants and laboratory me asurements indicates that hydrogel-coated gloves have superior propert ies, and are preferred to other non-sterile glove types. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.