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 use by dentists practising within the NHS regulations in England and Wales. The questionnaire for this study was distributed in November/December 1991 to 1950 dentists. The response rate was 61.5%. Analysis of the data obtained from the replies indicated that 83% of respondents wore gloves routinely for all patients and all procedures, 15% wore gloves 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.