Student Dress Code for Clinical Settings

PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE AND GUIDE FOR PERSONAL APPEARANCE

Introduction

An excellent standard of presentation is expected of all dental students and staff; a smart appearance and professional manner is a very important step towards securing the confidence of patients and colleagues.

The personal appearance and demeanor of every person affects, either directly or indirectly, the care and management of patients. The image communicated to patients through personal attire and appearance, behaviors and interactions will influence their perceptions of the quality of care they will receive at the University of Tishk International School of Dentistry and their confidence in the person providing that care. A presentation of professionalism is essential to uphold the standards of excellence set by the University of Tishk International , the School of Dentistry, and the dental profession. Dentists, in their own practices, will decide for themselves what appearance promotes a demeanor of professionalism. Throughout the School of Dentistry this is best accomplished by a reasonable degree of conformity in attire and grooming.

All faculty students are responsible for maintaining a clean, neat and well-fitting wardrobe.

Regulations

Hair (including beards and mustaches) should be clean, neatly trimmed, and well maintained. Those who shave must be clean-shaven. Long hair should be pinned or held back so that it does not interfere with the field of vision or require handling during treatment procedures. Unusual styles, colours or excessive hair gel is not acceptable. Facial stubble and unkempt hair is not acceptable. Long fringes or wispy locks of hair must be secured away from the face.

Nails must be clean, short, and manicured. Nail polish (including clear) is not permitted. All rings and wrist jewellery including watches must be removed before entering these areas. Tishk International University will not take responsibility for lost or stolen property.

Blue clinic scrubs must be worn at all times when attending clinic or laboratory sessions. Ensure coats are clean and ironed. Shirt sleeves and tails should not be visible.

Trousers are the preferred attire when wearing blue/white clinic/lab coats. They should be straight legged and shoe length. Shorts, cargo pants, jeans and jogging pants are not acceptable. If female students wish to wear skirts they should be an A-line design and below knee length. Do not wear skirts that are voluminous, with loose threads or raw hems.

Makeup and perfume/after-shave: Strong perfumes and cologne may be offensive to others, therefore avoid excessive use; heavy application of make-up should also be avoided.

Personal hygiene: Body hygiene is required so that offensive body odor is avoided. Fingernails should be trimmed, clean and well groomed.

Jewelry: Rings that may compromise clinical protective barriers should not be worn inclinics. No facial piercing should be evident during the school/clinic day (i.e. no rings or studs may be worn on the face or in the mouth).

Shoes must be enclosed, made of a non-porous material, with little or no heel and must be rubbersoled/non-slip. The front of the shoe must completely cover the top of the foot/instep. Trainers, knee length boots, shoes made of fabric or woven strips are unacceptable.

No food or drink of any kind (including chewing gum) is permitted in any of the clinical or laboratory areas. It should be carefully disposed of BEFORE entering these areas.

Gloves, masks and goggles must be removed before leaving the dental bay. The exception is when removing contaminated instruments/equipment from the clinic bay to the sterilizing room at the end of the treatment session.

When wearing a protective mask it must be secured either by the elastic loops around the ears or firmly tied at the back of the head. Masks should not be worn under the nose or chin.

Unacceptable Dress

Casual-wear such as:

•T-shirts, singlets, halter-neck tops, boob-tubes, midriff-baring or backless tops

•Jeans, cargos, trackies/sweats, casual shorts, boardies, short shorts, bike shorts

•Mini skirts, evening dresses, mini-dresses or sun-dresses

•Sandshoes, skater shoes, thongs, high heels, sandals, joggers or ugh boots

•Large, loud or offensive jewellery

•False/acrylic fingernails

•Excessive make-up/cosmetics or overwhelming perfume/aftershave

•Lab or clinic coats, gloves or eye goggles whilst outside of the labs/clinics

•Facial piercing

Oral and Personal Hygiene

Hygiene is paramount for obvious reasons. It is recommended that when dealing with the public students and staff should:

•Have regular oral health checkups and dental treatment;

•Use mouthwash before commencing patient treatment and/or restrict the consumption of halitosis causing agents (i.e. onions, garlic, curry, etc) to the weekends;

•Are aware that body odour is unacceptable. It is strongly recommended to shower frequently and use an effective deodorant;

•Maintain a professional appearance by not chewing gum or wearing tongue and lip studs.

Clinic Coats

Students clinic coats (blue) may be purchased from the any markets. All students must have a minimum of one lab coat and two clinic coats, if not more (depending on laundry management). These should be washed and ironed regularly. To comply with Infection Control Policy, students must not wear their lab or clinic coat outside of the laboratory or clinic. Students who attend labs or clinic without the appropriate, clean coat will be excluded from the lab or clinic session (this is not an allowable excuse for failure to complete assessment requirements).

Staff must comply with above policy and will be provided with white coats for the clinic and laboratory. Staff should not bring coats from their work or home

Failure to Comply with the School Dress Code

Failure to comply with the Dress Code may lead, in the first instance, to immediate expulsion from a Dental Clinic session. Off-campus facility supervisors may request a student leave the placement session(s). All violations shall be reported to staff supervisors who will write up violations. Multiple violations notice shall immediately be provided to the Head of School. Students should consult individual course outlines for clinical requirements. Students may not meet course requirements should there be a lack of attendance in clinical requirements. Students may not meet course requirements should there be a lack of attendance in clinical/laboratory sessions, in this case due to expulsion/temporary suspension from failure to comply with the School Dress Code.

School Administrative Officer, School of Dentistry

01.12.2014