When we returned to work from the Covid shutdown our dental practice, like other medical facilities, realized we were short on PPE. Gowns in particular being in short supply. All the gowns in the market were either disposable, or not resistant to fluid penetration. Too add, they were expensive, and bad for the environment.
I am a dentist, and also have a background in fashion design. I designed and made a PPE gown for use in my dental office. It saved about 90% of costs compared to using disposable gowns. The gown is made of a water-resistant fabric that is very protective. Considering that generic pathogens are much larger than water molecules, this gown will be more than adequate for everyday protection. It is designed as an isolation gown that can protect medical providers. It can be used in medical facilities, hospitals, emergency rooms, and nursing homes. Also, it looks more aesthetically pleasing and is more comfortable than most gowns on the market.
Medical and dental providers are almost constantly exposed to pathogens with no proper protection. Many medical workers wear scrubs everywhere, from the offices and medical facilities, to shops and homes. Pathogens in droplets could be carried all over your clothes, and potentially spread to friends and family. Medical professionals deserve better protection. Covid was our wake up call.
As it stands, we have two forms of gown (with a Level III gown awaiting FDA approval). One, features an attached head cover/hood, and another form, with a separate head cap. When the hooded gown is worn with pants, it provides full body protection, equal to full body coveralls (winter version). The gown with the cap is easy to get used to (summer version). Our gown is designed to be much easier to take on and off relative to traditional coveralls, making it convenient for restroom breaks.
During the day when working on multiple patients, alcohol wipes can be used to sterilize heavy exposed surfaces of the gown. If it is necessary, such as high pathogen environments/patients, gowns should be changed between patients. At minimum, it is necessary to change gowns during lunch breaks.
