Dress and Appearance Regulations Policy
Guiding Principles
Patients appropriately consider the Dental School as equivalent to a large dental practice, and expect faculty, students, residents, and staff to dress in accordance with uniform standards which promote a safe and positive environment that is consistent with expectations for those in the dental profession. This is the principle which guides the school in setting its Standards for professional appearance on the school premises.
Those to Whom the Standards Apply
These standards apply to Dental School students, residents, and faculty and staff who work in clinical spaces, with the exception of research laboratory staff who do not need not comply with these Standards other than for the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration(MOSH) requirements.
Dress and Appearance Standards
Generally, all attire should be neat, clean, and professional, conveying the respect inherent in the profession and the practitioner-patient relationship. Dress must comply with MOSH and all other applicable health and safety requirements.
Standards in clinical simulation spaces are identical to Standards for the patient treatment spaces except for lab coats which are only required in clinical spaces.
Scrubs
Scrubs must be worn in clinic, clinical laboratories, pre-clinical laboratories, and the lecture hall.
Students on hospital clinical rotations, providing patient care in the hospital, or otherwise engaging in a clinical experience at the hospital must follow hospital Standards.
Navy blue scrubs are reserved for faculty only. All others are required to wear clean, pressed scrubs in the solid color that is selected by Clinical Affairs, to identify and represent each program, class, and/or staff designation. All scrubs are to be embroidered with the school logo except for anatomy lab scrubs which may benon-UMSOD branded but must be of the correct program and class color.
Solid-colored short-sleeved or long-sleeved undershirts may be worn underneath scrubs if desired. Undershirts may be white, black, or gray in color.
Lab Coats
Lab coats are required in clinical spaces.
Gowns
Disposable gowns provided by the school or by a UMSOD affiliate are Standard attire during patient treatment. The style and color of the gown is based on the procedure being performed. Clinic gowns must be worn in all patient care spaces and must be fully buttoned including the top snap or button during patient treatment. A clean gown must be worn each day. Should a gown become visibly stained or contaminated during the day, it should be changed.
Clinic gowns may not be worn outside the clinic area.
Surgical Caps
Surgical caps are required to be worn in clinical spaces for all patient treatment. Cap messages/images must be non-descript and suitable for the school’s professional environment.
Surgical caps are not required in simulation spaces.
Footwear
Flat shoes are strongly recommended in the clinics and clinical simulation spaces for health and safety reasons. Leather tennis shoes are permitted. Clean, closed toe closed back athletic-type shoes or clogs with socks may only be worn with scrubs.
You must wear footwear that will offer adequate protection from dental materials and instruments should something come in contact with your feet. Therefore, no sandals, shoes with openings on the top or backs, flip flops, soft cloth or light fabric shoes, or open toes are permitted in the clinical or clinical simulation spaces.
Exceptions
On certain days, specified by the school, such as school pictures day, casual clothes that meet the following criteria will be permitted outside of clinical spaces:
- Clean, neat slacks and collared shirts, in dress or polo shirt fabrics and styles, long or short sleeved shirts, 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.
- Fabrics must be opaque (not sheer) and attire should be fitted to business casual standards (not resembling fabric or fit of sporting or swimming attire).
- T-shirts are not permitted.
Attire Not Permitted
Shorts, track suits, and sweatpants are not permitted at any time. Outerwear with UMB branding but showing non-descript graphics may be worn overtop scrub tops when entering the facility. Outerwear should be stored prior to arrival to the classroom, pre-clinical lab, or clinical spaces.
Hair and Fingernails
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.
Facial hair must be completely covered with a clinical facial mask.
Accommodations related to hair (caps, facial masks) may be directed to Clinical Affairs.
Fingernails should be clean and short (no longer than ¼ inch past the fingertip) and well-manicured, clear polish only. Artificial fingernails, extenders, embellishments, or chipped fingernail polish are not permitted.
Jewelry
Only facial jewelry and earrings that do not interfere with MOSH, patient treatment, or other safety requirements are permitted. Facial jewelry and earrings should be without adornments and rings comprised only of a completely smooth band are permitted. Otherwise, rings are not permitted.
Questions
Questions should be directed to Clinical Affairs. Requests should be made as early as possible to permit time to review the request.
Enforcement
As professionals and professionals in training, all members of the Dental School community are expected to voluntarily comply with the dress and appearance Standards. Members of the Dental School community may help one another to remain in compliance. Those who do not comply after receiving notice of a failure to follow the Standards may be subject to remedial or disciplinary actions.
Revised: October 1, 2016
Revised: August 12, 2024