How should dental professionals protect their eyes during procedures?

Dental professionals should wear appropriate safety eyewear or face shields to protect their eyes during procedures. This is crucial because dental work often involves the use of sharp instruments, potentially infectious materials, and splatter from procedures like polishing. Proper eye protection is designed to shield against these hazards, reducing the risk of injury or infection.

Safety eyewear is specifically designed to fit securely and provide maximum coverage, while face shields offer additional protection against splatter and debris that can occur during dental treatments. This combination of safety measures ensures that dental professionals maintain a safe working environment and protect their vision from harm.

Utilizing options like closing one's eyes or simply wearing regular eyeglasses does not provide adequate protection against the various risks present in dental procedures, and the idea that no specific protection is needed is contrary to established infection control guidelines.