Dress and Appearance Regulations within the University of Maryland School of Dentistry

Policy/Procedure: It is the responsibility of all students, faculty, and staff in the clinics, clinical simulators, clinical laboratories, and all classes to maintain personal dress and cleanliness that is consistent with professional patient care, and Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) regulations. Patients view the Dental School as the equivalent of a large dental practice, and therefore it is important to have a professional appearance while on school premises.

Students, faculty, and staff bear the responsibility of promoting this policy among themselves. Research laboratory staff will not be affected by the dress regulations other than for MOSH requirements. Attire in clinical simulation areas should be identical to the attire considered appropriate for the patient treatment areas. Attire should be neat, clean and professional, conveying the respect inherent in the practitioner-patient relationship.

1. Informal attire such as jeans, shorts, Bermuda shorts, track suits, cargo pants, and sweat clothes are not permitted at any time. Clean athletic shoes with socks may only be worn with scrub attire.

2. All students will wear white or blue disposable gowns provided by the school during patient treatment. Selection of the coat/gown is based on the procedure being performed. Clinic coats/gowns will be worn in all patient care areas and must be fully buttoned including the top snap or button during patient treatment. A clean coat/gown must be worn each day; it should be changed should it become visibly stained or contaminated during the clinic session. CLINIC COATS/GOWNS SHOULD NOT BE WORN OUTSIDE THE BUILDING OR INTO NON-CLINICAL AREAS OF THE BUILDING.

3. Surgical scrub attire is required to be worn by students while in clinic, in clinical laboratories, in pre-clinical laboratories and in the lecture hall. Cultural concerns will be considered on an individual basis. A white or blue disposable coat/gown is worn over the scrub attire during patient treatment. Clean, pressed scrubs in a solid color (with the exception of navy blue which is reserved for faculty) selected by, and representative of each class and embroidered with the school logo will be worn.

4. On certain allowed days such as school pictures, etc. street clothes that meet the following criteria will be permitted:

Men may wear clean, neat slacks and a collared shirt, dress or polo-type, long or short sleeved. T-shirts are not permitted.
Women may wear slacks, Capri pants, skirts or dresses. Skirts/dresses may be no shorter than two inches above the knee. All tops must cover the back and shoulders and must consist of opaque (not sheer) material that is not overly tight.
Footwear: No sandals, flip flops, cloth shoes (ie. TOMS), shoes with openings on the top (Crocs), or open toes are permitted in the clinical areas or clinical simulation areas. Flat shoes are strongly recommended in the clinics and clinical simulation for health and safety reasons. Clogs are permitted. Leather tennis shoes (with scrub attire) are permitted.

5. Hair and Grooming:
*Hair should be clean and well groomed
*Long hair should be tied back from the clinician's face. Hair should not contact the patients,
instruments or equipment.
*Male students with facial hair must be able to completely cover it with a clinical facial mask.
*Fingernails should be clean and short (no longer than the fingertip) and well-manicured. Acrylic fingernails/ false nails or chipped fingernail polish are not permitted.

6. Jewelry:
*No facial jewelry is permissible (lip ring, nose ring, eyebrow rings)
*Earrings should not interfere with personal protective equipment or patient treatment
*With the exception of a smooth band, rings should not be worn.

Revised: October 1, 2016