Assessing the effectiveness of direct digital radiography barrier sheaths and finger cots

Background. Effective cross-contamination prevention is critical for direct digital radiography, or DDR, sensors, which are not sterilizeable; however , current manufacturers' recommendations for standard precautions are limit ed to the use of plastic barrier sheaths, which are commonly known to tear or leak. The authors sought to determine the incidence of digital radiograp hy barrier-sheath leakage, with and without additional latex finger cot pro tection, as measured by a water pressure test. Methods. Four hundred plastic barrier sheaths were randomly assigned to fou r groups based on intraoral radiograph positioning device use and supplemen tal barrier protection with a latex finger cot. Sheaths were carefully plac ed to cover DDR sensors for a single intraoral use, gently removed from the sensors and tested for leakage through a water pressure technique. Results. Perforations occurred in 44 to 51 percent of plastic sheaths after a single radiographic exposure. However, only up to 6 percent of the plast ic sheaths that were covered by a latex finger cot leaked during the water pressure test. Conclusions. At least 44 percent of the plastic barrier sheaths leaked afte r a single intraoral radiographic exposure. Use of a latex finger cot over the plastic sheath significantly reduced leakage to no more than 6 percent. Clinical Implications. Latex finger cots used in conjunction with the stand ard plastic sheaths that cover DDR sensors may more effectively prevent cro ss-contamination than do plastic sheaths alone. Dentists who use DDR sensor s during highly invasive dental procedures such as dental implant surgery a re encouraged to consider supplemental barrier protection for these delicat e, expensive and nonsterilizeable sensors to prevent patient cross-contamin ation.