What is recommended to be worn when answering the phone in the operatory?

Wearing overgloves while answering the phone in the operatory is recommended because it helps maintain infection control protocols. When dental professionals are wearing gloves while treating patients, these gloves can become contaminated. If they need to answer the phone, it is essential to avoid transferring potential contaminants to the phone and then back to the patient or other surfaces.

Overgloves allow the clinician to maintain a sterile environment when they need to handle items outside the immediate treatment area. This practice minimizes the risk of cross-contamination, ensuring that the operatory remains safe for both patients and staff. By using overgloves, practitioners can effectively perform tasks that do not involve direct patient care without compromising their infection control measures.

In contrast, while gloves, face masks, and protective eyewear are all essential pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the dental setting, they do not specifically address the need to handle the phone without losing the integrity of the sterile field. Overgloving is specifically designed for situations where other tasks require attention without sacrificing safety.