I have seen students place spare gloves just beyond the Bunsen burner. The question is how many gloves do you have to change before you burn yourself?

With the same reasoning I will never carry any instruments over the patient's face. How many times will I do that before I drop an instrument right in the patient's eye?

Students do not realize how dangerous it is to ask a patient to hold their own impression in their mouth while the student leaves to get something. The patient can start to choke and you are not there to help. You will have no defense when you are taken to court. Remove the tray if you absolutely have to leave and take the impression when you return.

©1999 by Julius Rosen, D.D.S.