Dental Hygiene Program

Contents
Catalog Links
Share

Dress Regulations within the Dental School Clinical Facilities

Failure to adhere to the Dress code Policy may result in a U for the daily Professionalism Grade and/or an inability to attend clinic.

It is the responsibility of all students, faculty, and staff in the clinics, clinic simulators and clinical laboratories to maintain personal dress and cleanliness that is consistent with professional patient care and MOSH regulations. It is also the responsibility of the aforementioned persons to promote this policy with others. Research lab staff will not be impacted by the dress regulations other than for MOSH requirements.

Attire in clinical simulation area 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 denim jeans, shorts, and Bermuda shorts are not permitted. Clean athletic shoes (with socks) may only be worn with scrub attire. Mesh-style athletic shoes are not permitted.
  2. All students will wear white or blue clinic coats or disposable gowns, provided by the school, during patient treatment. Selection of the coat or 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 or gown will be worn each day; it will be changed should it become visibly stained or contaminated during the clinic session. CLINIC COATS SHOULD NOT BE WORN OUTSIDE THE BUILDING OR INTO NON-CLINICAL AREAS OF THE BUILDING
  3. Surgical scrub attire may be worn while delivering patient care provided that a clean white or blue clinic coat and/or disposable gown are worn over the scrubs. Clean, pressed scrubs in solid colors (with the exception of navy blue which is reserved for faculty) will be purchased and maintained by the individual. Individuals choosing to wear scrubs for patient treatment may either change at school prior to patient treatment or arrive and leave the building in scrub attire.
  4. If scrub attire is not worn in the clinic setting, men and women will wear attire appropriate for a professional environment. Men should wear clean, neat slacks and a collared dress shirt. T-shirts are not permitted. Women may wear slacks, Capri pants, skirts or dresses. Skirts and/or dresses may be no shorter than two inches below the knee. Socks must be worn in the clinic. Open toed shoes or other shoes with openings on the tops of the shoes (e.g., Crocs or flip flops) cannot be worn.
  5. Combination scrubs” are permitted as defined: Students may wear a dark solid-colored scrub top tucked into neat slacks with a belt and dress shoes. Female students may wear dark solid-colored scrub bottoms with a solid colored fitted top (t-shirts with logos are not permitted) and athletic shoes.
  6. With the exception of a smooth band, rings should not be worn. Earrings should not interfere with personal protective equipment or patient treatment.
  7. An individual's hairstyle should prevent hair from contacting patients, instruments, or equipment. Hair should be clean and neatly groomed. Hair longer than chin/shoulder length should be worn away from the clinician’s face.
  8. Fingernails should be clean, short (no longer than the fingertip) and well-manicured. Clear or light-colored unchipped fingernail polish is permissible. In the clinical setting at UMB and affiliated off-campus sites only clear, light-colored beige or pink hue, or French-manicure is permissible. Acrylic fingernails are not permitted.

Addendum for students only:

Greater flexibility in attire is permitted in the classroom and seminar areas (i.e. clean non-distressed denim jeans, sandals for women, casual but modest attire), provided that the standards of professionalism are maintained and that the student does not enter the clinic or simulation areas.

Additional Dress code items for Dental Hygiene Students

  1. Two acceptable earrings through the ear lobes (e.g., studs, small hoops) per ear are permitted. Gauges in the ear lobes and bars through any part of the ear are not permitted.
  2. No bracelets are permitted.
  3. Intra-oral piercings are unacceptable (e.g., tongue) Piercings through the brow, lip, nose etc. are not permitted. (If you have a piercing in your nose you can place a flesh colored stud so the hole will not close).
  4. Men must be cleanly shaven or close bearded
  5. Hair, if colored must be a natural shade.
  6. In the clinical setting at UMB and affiliated off campus sites only a light-colored beige or pink hue nail polish is permissible. A French manicure is a suggestion. NO ACRYLIC NAILS.
  7. Pending the official date; all hygiene scrubs must be Eggplant in color.