# Sterile Versus Non-Sterile Gloves in Dental Extractions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

## TL;DR

A review found no significant difference in infection rates after dental extractions when using sterile versus non-sterile gloves.

## Contribution

This study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis comparing sterile and non-sterile gloves in dental extractions for infection prevention.

## Key findings

- Infection rates were 0.3% with sterile gloves and 1.3% with non-sterile gloves.
- Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in infection risk between glove types.
- Small sample sizes and low event rates limited the study's conclusions.

## Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections remain an ongoing concern across medical and dental practice, prompting continuous evaluation of infection prevention measures. In dental extractions, the necessity of sterile gloves is debated, as the oral cavity represents an inherently contaminated environment. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether the use of sterile gloves reduces postoperative socket infections compared with non-sterile gloves. A search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar identified randomized controlled trials, clinically controlled trials, and observational trials directly comparing sterile versus non-sterile glove use during dental extractions. The primary outcome of this study was extraction socket infection at day 7 post-surgery. A meta-analysis using relative risk (RR) was performed for dichotomous data. Of the initial 7170 publications found, seven articles met inclusion criteria. Infection rates ranged from 0% to 3.9%, with an overall infection rate of 0.3% in the sterile glove group (672 patients) and 1.3% in the non-sterile glove group (758 patients). Three studies qualified for meta-analysis, resulting in an RR of 0.30 (95% CI 0.07–1.24), indicating no significant difference in postoperative infections between sterile and non-sterile glove usage. Given the limitations of small sample sizes, low event rates, incomplete reporting, and lack of subgroup data for surgical versus non-surgical extractions, no difference in postoperative infection was found between sterile and non-sterile glove use. Additional research is needed to determine whether glove sterility influences infection risk, particularly in surgical procedures.