By Reva Darling Goucher, Association Gloves

The dental profession began using disposable gloves nearly three decades ago but until recently, the long-term ergonomic effects of prolonged use of gloves were largely unknown. While highly effective in preventing cross-contamination and ensuring clinician and patient safety, the daily use of traditional disposable gloves can contribute to debilitating musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Encasing your hand, fingers and wrist in gloves is like wearing a giant rubber band. The constriction caused by compression over time can affect delicate nerves and blood vessels. Additionally, engaging in prolonged muscle effort using chronic, repetitive movements of the hand and wrist, especially with the hand in “pinch” position, can result in serious hand and wrist and conditions such as hand fatigue, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Over 50 percent of dental professionals have reported hand fatigue¹ and 65 percent of registered dental hygienists reported having carpal tunnel syndrome. Signs of MSDs include decreased range of motion, loss of normal sensation and movement, decreased grip strength and loss of coordination. These serious conditions are painful and lead to loss of productivity, excessive medical costs and potential long-term damage if untreated. Fortunately, these conditions are preventable.

Over the past several years, there have been many notable improvements in glove manufacturing. Concerned manufacturers, such as Microflex, have endeavored to address the growing concern about MSDs for the dental profession and have engineered materials to help minimize muscle exertion. They have developed several ambidextrous nitrile and neoprene gloves that are extremely thin, malleable, and do not force the thumb into an unnatural posture. To verify their new nitrile formulas reduce hand stress, Microflex sought out and gained a special ergonomic certification from an independent firm that specializes in testing ergonomic product claims. Choosing a glove with an ergonomic certification is significant to the long-term protection of dental professionals.

What is the benefit of using an ergonomically certified glove? “A product that has received certification provides measurable ergonomic benefits to the anticipated users by improving comfort and fit and by minimizing the risk factors that may contribute to the development of ergonomic injuries,” according to U.S. Ergonomics.

A comprehensive study conducted by U.S. Ergonomics found that Microflex XCEED^®, Ultraform^® , and Neogard^® gloves markedly reduced muscle effort compared to other leading competitors’ brands. In side-by-side testing, the gloves even outperformed bare-hand manipulations in some cases, showing a reduction in muscle effort compared to not wearing gloves. The lessened effort reduces the chances of developing injuries, pain and MSDs.

As a dental professional, your hands are one of your most precious assets. Educate your staff on the importance of ergonomic safety and be sure you are making knowledgeable product selections for those products you use on a daily basis. Look for the U.S. Ergonomics seal, ensuring the products you and your staff are using are designed to help prevent MSDs and prevent long-term damage.

For more information and to order or request free glove and mask samples, call Association Gloves at 877-484-6149 or shop securely online at www.vdaservicesgloves.com.

1. Guignon, Anne Nugent Registered Dental Hygienist  (RDH), MPH “What’s happening to your hands?” Accessed Sept. 14, 2011.

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Reva Darling Goucher is Marketing Manager for Association Gloves, wholly owned by the Michigan Dental Association, focused on meeting the examination glove needs of dental association members across the United States. We have been providing quality, brand-name, value-priced gloves to association members since 2007.