Why We Need to Talk About Eye Safety in Dentistry
We talk a lot about infection control—waterline safety, hand hygiene, and sterilization—but how often do we really think about eye protection?
Dental professionals face daily exposure to aerosols, splatter, high-intensity light, and chemicals, all of which can put our eyes at risk. Yet, I still see people skipping protective eyewear or using it inconsistently. The reality? Our eyes are incredibly vulnerable, and without proper protection, we’re opening the door to unnecessary exposure, injuries, and even long-term damage.
I’ve seen it happen. Someone takes off their protective eyewear mid-procedure because their glasses fogged up, only to get hit with a splash of saliva. Others wear the wrong kind of eyewear—thinking prescription glasses alone are enough. And let’s not forget the risk that comes with constant exposure to blue light from curing lamps.
If you’re still not taking eye safety seriously, it’s time to change that.
The Biggest Risks to Your Eyes in a Dental Setting
Dentistry is full of potential eye hazards, and a lot of them happen so fast, you don’t even realize you’ve been exposed. Here’s what we’re up against:
Aerosols and Splatter – Every time you use an ultrasonic scaler, air-water syringe, or high-speed handpiece, there’s a mist of saliva, blood, and bacteria in the air. And yes, it can end up in your eyes.
Chemical Exposure – Disinfectants, bonding agents, impression materials, and even some fluoride treatments can cause serious irritation or damage if they make contact with your eyes.
Curing Lights and Blue Light Exposure – Repeated exposure to blue light from curing lamps can lead to eye strain, headaches, and long-term retinal damage. Even indirect exposure from light bouncing off surfaces adds up over time.
Physical Injuries – Bits of composite, broken burs, or even prophy paste flying at high speeds can hit you before you even realize what happened.
What OSHA, CDC, and the ADA Say About Eye Protection
The guidelines are clear—protective eyewear with side shields or a full-face shield is a must. The CDC, OSHA, and ADA all recommend using proper eye protection whenever there is a risk of exposure to aerosols, chemicals, or debris.
And no, your regular prescription glasses don’t count.
If you wear prescription glasses, you need to either wear a full-face shield over them or attach proper side shields to block contamination from all angles.
Making Sure You’re Actually Protected
A lot of people think just throwing on any pair of safety glasses is enough, but not all eyewear is created equal. Here’s what you should be looking for:
Side Shields – If your eyewear doesn’t have them, aerosols can still get in.
Impact Resistance – ANSI Z87.1-certified eyewear is designed to withstand flying debris.
Anti-Fog Coating – If you’re taking your eyewear off mid-procedure because you can’t see, it’s not protecting you.
I know firsthand that comfort matters. If your eyewear is uncomfortable or constantly slipping, you’re more likely to remove it, which defeats the whole purpose. Invest in something that fits well so you actually wear it.
Let’s Talk About Curing Lights and Blue Light Exposure
One of the biggest threats to our eye health in dentistry doesn’t come from splatter or chemicals—it comes from the curing light we stare at multiple times a day.
Blue light exposure from curing lamps can cause:
Eye strain and headaches
Increased sensitivity to light
Long-term retinal damage
And here’s the kicker—even if you’re not looking directly at the curing light, reflected light from nearby surfaces can still cause damage.
What to do about it?
Use protective blue-light-blocking glasses
Avoid staring at the curing light directly
Use the lowest effective intensity setting
Cross-Contamination and Your Eyes: What You Might Be Overlooking
One thing I see all the time—people adjusting their glasses with dirty gloves.
Think about it. You’re mid-procedure, something feels off, and you push your eyewear up your nose without even thinking. Congratulations, you just transferred whatever was on your gloves directly to your face.
Or maybe you take off your protective eyewear and set it on a contaminated surface, then put it right back on without disinfecting it. Now you’ve just placed contaminated eyewear against your skin and near your eyes.
These little habits add up to big problems.
Here’s what you should be doing:
Adjust eyewear before gloving up
If you need to adjust mid-procedure, use a disinfectant wipe first
Disinfect your protective eyewear after every patient—just like your operatory surfaces
Stop Skipping Protection for “Quick” Procedures
I’ve seen it too many times—people skipping their eye protection because they’re “just doing a quick procedure.” But let’s be real—how often do those “quick” procedures turn into a mess?
Splatter doesn’t wait for a long appointment. Neither do aerosols.
You wouldn’t skip gloves for a single patient, so why would you skip protecting your eyes?
Are You Wearing Your Mask the Right Way?
Here’s another mistake I see all the time—masks sitting on top of eyewear instead of underneath.
When you wear your mask over your glasses instead of tucking it under the nose pads, it creates a gap right at your nose—a perfect entry point for aerosols and splatter.
Your mask should always sit under the nose pads of your glasses to create a proper seal. If your glasses keep fogging, that’s a sign your mask isn’t fitted properly.
What You Can Do Today to Improve Your Eye Safety
Wear protective eyewear with side shields or a full-face shield—every single patient, every single time.
Invest in quality eyewear that fits well and won’t fog up mid-procedure.
Stop adjusting your glasses with dirty gloves.
Disinfect your eyewear after every patient.
Use blue-light-blocking glasses when working with curing lights.
Make sure your mask is sitting under the nose pads of your eyewear to prevent gaps.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Eyes Like You Protect Your Hands
Would you ever treat a patient without gloves? No. So why would you expose yourself to infection and injury by skipping eye protection?
The little details matter. Something as simple as wearing the right protective eyewear, making sure your mask fits properly, and keeping your hands off your face can make a huge difference in your overall safety.
If your office doesn’t have a strong eye safety protocol, now is the time to fix that. Your eyes do a lot for you—take care of them.
Are you following best practices when it comes to eye safety? If not, what’s stopping you? Let’s talk about it.
Thank you to Dr. Marie Fluent and ADS for their continued education and resources on this topic.
Resources from 2025 ADS Bootcamp Conference.
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