How long should disposable PPE be worn before disposal?

Disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to be used once and then discarded immediately after use. This practice is crucial to minimize the risk of infection transmission and ensure the safety of both patients and dental healthcare professionals. Disposable PPE, such as gloves, masks, gowns, and face shields, may be contaminated with blood, saliva, or other infectious materials during a procedure, which necessitates their immediate disposal to prevent any potential cross-contamination.

Wearing disposable PPE until the end of the workday, as suggested in one of the alternative options, would increase the risk of contamination and compromise infection control protocols. Similarly, reusing PPE for multiple patients or only disposing of it when visibly soiled fails to acknowledge that pathogens can be present even if the protective gear appears clean. Therefore, following the protocol of disposing of disposable PPE after a single use is essential for maintaining a safe dental practice environment.