GLOVE USE BY DENTISTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES - RESULTS OF A 2-YEAR FOLLOW-UP SURVEY

This paper reports the findings of a 2-year follow-up study of glove u se by dentists practising within the NHS regulations in England and Wa les. The questionnaire for this study was distributed in November/Dece mber 1991 to 1950 dentists. The response rate was 61.5%. Analysis of t he data obtained from the replies indicated that 83% of respondents wo re gloves routinely for all patients and all procedures, 15% wore glov es for either selected patients or procedures and 2% never wore gloves . Glove wearing patterns were found to be related to gender, practice type and frequency of attendance at postgraduate courses. Overall, the results indicate increasing levels of compliance with recommendations concerning glove wearing while treating patients.