76.4% of Dentists Now Wear Gloves During Treatment

The number of dentists using gloves when treating patients has jumped by more than 53% in recent years, according to a national survey by the American Dental Assn.

The report, published in the May issue of the American Journal of the American Dental Assn., said 5,800 dentists were randomly surveyed between January and May of last year.

Of those responding, 76.4% said they now wear gloves. In a similar 1986 survey, Only 22.7% said they wore gloves.

ADA guidelines to prevent transmission of infectious diseases in the dental profession include the use of gloves, masks and eye wear with every patient.