Do gloves need to be worn when collecting waste generated by a fluoride mouth rinse program?
Gloves do not need to be worn when collecting waste (e.g., used disposable cups and napkins) generated by the fluoride mouth rinse program unless there is visible blood associated with these materials. Standard precautions1 apply to saliva, but only in health care settings. Procedures that constitute a fluoride mouth rinse program can be interpreted as differing from those commonly identified as dental procedures (e.g., bleeding would not be anticipated from rinsing fluoride solution in the mouth because sharp instruments would not be used). Standard precautions, therefore, would not be essential for a fluoride mouth rinse program. It is important to recognize that national or state laws, rules, and regulations may take precedence over these CDC recommendations.
