When are sterile gloves recommended in dental practice?

Sterile gloves are specifically recommended for all surgical procedures due to the necessity of maintaining a sterile field and preventing infection. In the context of dental practice, surgical procedures often involve invasive techniques where there is a higher risk of exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. By wearing sterile gloves, dental professionals reduce the risk of transferring pathogens to the patient, which is critical for ensuring patient safety and compliance with infection control protocols.

In contrast, non-invasive procedures, routine examinations, or patient education typically do not carry the same level of risk for cross-contamination, making the use of sterile gloves unnecessary in those situations. Instead, more standard infection control practices, such as wearing clean examination gloves, are sufficient for those activities. Thus, sterile gloves are crucial in surgical settings to uphold the highest infection control standards.