By India Chance, RDH, CDIPC
June 20, 2025
As dental hygienists, we know that protection isn’t optional—it’s essential. Ours is a high-risk profession, with exposure to aerosol-generating procedures, blood-borne pathogens, and chemical agents (just to name a few), all of which directly impact our safety, respiratory health, and overall ergonomics and comfort. Yet, when it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE), cost often overshadows quality in decision-making. It’s time to shift the conversation from “cheapest available” to “what’s in the best interest of safety and protection for me as the dental health provider, our patients, and our practice.”
The Hidden Costs of “Bargain” PPE
Whether it’s ill-fitting masks with gaps that expose you to risks of cross-contamination or gloves that cause skin irritation, low quality PPE can come with a hidden price tag, leading to more long-term occupational health issues. For hygienists with skin sensitivities, repeated exposure to materials that rub, irritate, or trap moisture can lead to
contact dermatitis, chronic discomfort, and even missed days of work. Too often, the selection of personal protective equipment is heavily weighted toward budgetary considerations with less attention paid to the overall health impact on the wearer.
We need to be vocal advocates for our own protection. That means speaking up about the importance of PPE that not only meets regulatory standards but also aligns with our clinical realities—products that are breathable, gentle on the skin, and designed to meet the clinical demand we face throughout the day.
Quality PPE doesn’t just check the boxes for ASTM levels or certifications. It considers how a product performs in the real-world clinical environment and is designed for true personal protection. For example, take the mask portfolio by Medicom that meets all of the ASTM certification levels.
Within their product assortment, you can find masks with a soft, skin-friendly inner layer such as those in the SafeMask® SofSkin line, or a fog-free strip found in the SafeMask® FreeFlow.
If you are struggling to find a mask that fits your uniquely shaped face and pinching, tucking or pulling isn’t working, Medicom also provides the SafeMask® TailorMade. It features an adjustable chin bar so you can customize the mask’s shape for a perfect fit to get the protection you need. If you still find the traditional mask fit is just not going to work, the SafeMask® Curve (Medicom) offers a contoured fit with a comfortable air pocket and enhanced side coverage, ensuring both comfort and performance. It’s all about choosing a company that provides the options you need, crafted from quality materials to help you work safely and with confidence.
Watch Raising the Bar On Mask Safety
Practices Have a Responsibility
As clinicians, we take an oath to protect our patients. Practice owners and managers have a parallel obligation: to protect their team. That includes selecting products that support both infection prevention and the well-being of the staff using them.
In fact, did you know that various regulations and standards contribute to the expectation of providing quality materials and equipment for staff to ensure patient safety and effective care?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a crucial role in regulating dental practices, primarily to protect workers from hazards, including bloodborne pathogens. OSHA mandates employers to provide and maintain PPE like gloves, gowns, and masks, ensuring they are functional and effective. This implies the need to purchase quality products for employee safety and health.
The American Dental Association (ADA) provides guidance on various aspects of dental practice, including ethics and quality of care—guidelines that promote best practices and professional responsibility in material and equipment selection.
In today’s environment, prioritizing high-quality PPE is not a luxury—it’s a standard of care.
Empowering the Ask
So how do you start the conversation if you’re not the one ordering supplies? By raising awareness, sharing product feedback, and bringing attention to how PPE affects your protection, comfort and performance. A well-supported case based on physical requirements, procedural demands, and user comfort can go a long way.
The Bottom Line
Your safety should never be a budget line item up for debate. High-quality PPE is an investment in the clinician, the patient, and the practice as a whole. As hygienists, we owe it to ourselves to speak up, advocate for our needs, and push for products that we deserve for our well-being.
Let’s make protection personal and demand quality products as a standard of self-care.
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India Chance, RDH, CDIPC is an acclaimed dental safety expert, founder of Learn2Prevent and a proud ADHA member. She excels as a registered dental hygienist and certified infection control educator. Recognized by the CDC, she champions global dental compliance and patient safety. Her leadership extends to roles with ADS, Inside Dental Hygiene, and as a Maryland State Dental Board inspector. India’s dedication was celebrated with the 2023 Emerging Infection Control Leader award in the U.S.
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With a vision of ensuring healthier lives and a safer world for all, Medicom is on a mission to create value by providing reliable solutions and services that deliver protection and peace of mind to those we serve. Founded in 1988 in response to the urgent need for medical gloves for healthcare professionals during the global HIV crisis, the company has since grown to one of the world’s leading manufacturers of infection prevention and control solutions, including an extensive portfolio of personal protective equipment serving the dental, medical, laboratory and research, and retail markets.
