Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of orthodontic patients of the importance of glove wearing by orthodontists, and consisted of a patient completed questionnaire carried out at an orthodontic clinic in Ireland. The subjects were 194 consecutive patients [122 (63 per cent) female, 72 (37 per cent) male; mean +/- SD age: 15.5 +/- 2.2 years] attending an orthodontic clinic. They completed a questionnaire designed to determine their attitudes to the wearing of gloves by orthodontists.
Most patients (97 per cent; n = 188) considered that orthodontists should routinely wear gloves. However, approximately 15 per cent of patients (n = 30) would attend an orthodontist who did not wear gloves. Ninety-four per cent (n = 182) of patients considered that gloves were worn to protect both the orthodontist and the patient. A total of 86.5 per cent (n = 168) of patients thought that the orthodontist should change gloves between patients.
The overwhelming majority of patients surveyed demonstrated a strong awareness of the importance of glove wearing by orthodontists. The results suggest that many patients will not attend an orthodontist who does not wear gloves during treatment.
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