When you go to the dentist, for almost any procedure you’ll find yourself covered by a napkin-like absorbent “bib” that’s attached to a chain or string that goes around the back of your neck. Is this really necessary? What are they used for? Why does every dental practice use them?

Keeping You Safe and Sterile

At the dentist, the potential for getting a lot of liquid on you is pretty great. No one wants drool and chemicals from their mouth ending up on their clothing during a dental procedure. Dental bibs, along with the bib clips that secure them, are sterile items that are meant to keep the environment safe as the dentists and dental hygienists are working. 

The paper and plastic bibs are disposed of in a special receptacle for medical waste in the procedure room, keeping every other part of the office safe. The bottom of the dental bib is coated with a type of film that keeps liquid from getting on your clothes and the top of it absorbs the liquid make it a super absorbent material. 

Do They Have to Be Disposable?

Dental bibs are part of the protective equipment used during procedures. Some equipment can be sterilized and then reused but the material the equipment is made of needs to be able to withstand the sterilization process. Eco-friendly is a big deal in all kinds of industries but when it comes to keeping you safe, disposable is sometimes necessary. 

A lot of personal protective equipment is not eco-friendly because the type of material used will not be effective or will lose integrity during multiple sterilization processes. A dental bib is composed of a polyethylene, waterproof material that will not withstand this process, so it has to be disposable. 

What Types of Dental Procedure Uses Dental Bibs

Almost all procedures use dental bibs. No matter what’s being done at the dentist’s office, there’s probably going to be some kind of spillage like saliva or blood that might fall on your clothing. Higher quality dental bibs will be more expensive, but also offer greater protection. These types of dental bibs can range in quality in the layers of medical grade tissue paper and a strong polyethylene layer. Better bibs will be at least 2 ply and some will be up to 3 ply layers.

Some common dental procedures that require the use of a dental bib include:

• Routine dental cleaning: water, teeth cleaning fluids and fluids from the mouth will be caught by the bib
• Deep cleaning under the gums: this procedure can sometimes result in bleeding and the client is more thoroughly anesthetized than with a routine cleaning. 
• Fillings: material from the fillings, water, and other materials may fall on the client during the procedure. 
• Bridges, crowns, and other tooth repair: depending on the process used, plaster may be required to make an impression for the repair. 
• Emergency procedures: a person in pain shouldn’t have to worry about drool, water, blood, and any other materials falling on them and contaminating their clothes during the procedure. 

Any case that requires an oral surgery will have a lot more personal protective equipment involved so a dental bib would be necessary. When you have other procedures done, you’re often anesthetized with novocaine or lidocaine in the area of the mouth that is being worked on. This means you will have no control over that area of your mouth. Dental bibs keep you from drooling on your clothes or from other chemicals used falling on your clothes during the procedure before you can stop them. The size of the bib depends on the age of the patient and can range in quality and design.

Other Applications for Dental Bibs

While they’re called dental bibs, these products are used for other things in the dentist’s office and in other places besides the dentist’s office. Any procedure that requires the use of a cover that has an absorbent top and liquid deterrent on the underside. Some other applications for dental bibs include:

• Clean dental tools: A clean bib may be used to wipe a dental tool during a procedure or to dry off clean tools after they’ve been sanitized. 
• Client clean up: When a procedure is finished, a patient might use a dental bib to wipe their face. 
• Sterile applications: may be used for patients to dry off their mouth during a procedure. Using a regular cloth or something else would contaminate the area where the dentist is working. 

Some other medical procedures may use a dental bib and although this is still the name for it, the procedure doesn’t need to be related to dentistry. Other professionals may choose to use bibs like tattoo parlors and piercing parlors because they act as a sterile barrier while they work. 

Anyone Can Purchase Dental Bibs

Not only are dental bibs not limited to a dentist’s office, they’re alsonot limited to medical practice in a procedure room. A customer can shop from a wholesale company and/or a medical equipment store that sells dental bibs online or in stores. Some applications for home use include:

• Feeding assistance: some people need to be fed in a more sterile environment due to medical fragility or disability. Those who have had a stroke, who have trouble swallowing and many other conditions require feeding assistance. Dental bibs give the wearer and the feeder peace of mind and easy cleanup of liquids. 
• At home maintenance after oral surgery: Some oral surgery procedures require continued maintenance at home. There might be bandaging or drains that need to be changed. A dental bib protects the clothing and area under the mouth while these things are done. 
• Wound care: People who have deep wounds, burn wounds, or long term wounds may keep dental bibs at home to help keep a sterile environment during care of the wounds. Changing wound dressing, cleaning, and other procedures would require this kind of sterility. 
• Baby care: Some babies need extra care when they come home. Dental bibs can be used to create a sterile environment and offer protection that keeps babies safe during medical care procedures. 
• Cleaning tools: People that deal with disabilities and chronic illness may have tools at home that they use for care procedures. Dental bibs are a good way to clean those tools in a sterile environment on a daily basis. 

Purchasing Dental Bibs for Your Practice

While these products may be available for purchase online, that doesn’t mean that they’re all suitable for use in a sterile dental procedure room. Dental tools go in a patient's mouth. If clinical staff are going to be wiping tools with the dental bibs at their practice they need to be sure that the product is high quality and safe for a healthcare environment. 

At home use would still require a sterile product but there’s a difference between home use and medical grade. A medical grade product must be packaged in a sterile facility and shipped according to regulations so that the product remains sterile while in transit. Cardboard boxes and delivery trucks are not ideal environments for medical equipment but, if packaged properly, it should not cause any problems.

Ask your colleagues

The best way to ensure the dental bibs you purchase for your practice are good enough to use there is to ask your colleagues. In most cases, equipment like this has an industry standard in regards to brands. Your colleagues will know what that is and will be able to point you in the right direction. 

Another consideration is to look for a local business. The less time your product spends in transit, the less chance there is of contamination. You’ll also have a supplier close by that can get you dental bibs if you run out for some reason and need them in a pinch. 

Not only are dental bibs standard for use in your dental practice, they’re an important part of making your clients feel comfortable. Be sure you’re using a product suitable for medical grade sterilization and that it’s high quality and large enough size to cover all patients.