A dental nurse has revealed the devastating effects of wearing PPE in the hot weather and is urging colleagues to ‘be prepared’ so they can cope with the current conditions in clinic.

Amy Holdgate, who works in a mixed NHS and private dental practice in Essex, says the biggest challenges for her since returning to work has been getting used to the new PPE.

She explains: ‘In this heat, the PPE is unbearable and feels like torture. The long-sleeved plastic gowns stick to your arms almost immediately if you are hot. The stealth mask has left bruises and marks on my face, so I have to take anti-bruising tablets and moisturise my face frequently throughout the day to ease the soreness and pain.

‘The mask is also very restrictive and not easy to breathe in. I suffer from panic attacks and have had three occasions where I have had one during the procedure. We have to wear plastic caps over our hair, which leaves condensation and my hair dripping wet. I also have to change my scrubs sometimes because they ae soaked with sweat. This is a definite challenge – both mentally and physically – and we have to battle through the day in these conditions.

‘I would urge any dental nurse to be prepared and have everything ready you need for your patient. It makes the appointment flow and it’s easier to remain calm in your PPE if you are not worrying about the equipment.’

She adds: ‘PPE is our worst nightmare and we have to look after ourselves and stay cool to prevent getting poorly. If you are not allowed to use your air conditioning, then after your fallow period has ended and you have cleaned, I would recommend blasting it on full and cold until the next patient comes in to cool the room down.

‘Make sure you drink plenty of water and keep bottles in the fridge to drink between treatments. During break times, try to stay as cool as possible – either indoors or in a shaded area outside. When I look at my dry, sore, bruised face, it makes me want to cry at what my lovely job has become in just a few months. Now, when I get home from work, I use a sheet face mask to rehydrate my skin and have a cool bath or shower to relax.’

Amy has been a registered dental nurse since 2013 and was made redundant in February because the practice went into administration. Out of work between February and May, she then nailed her new position at the end of May and started back at work in June.

Anxiety

She says: ‘During the lockdown, I spent most of the time at home with my partner. We only left the flat for essential food shops and stuck to our daily allowance of outdoor time. My mental health was affected, my anxiety got worse and I found myself in constant fear of what the future might hold and how things were ever going to go back to “normal”. I was lucky to have the company of my partner and supportive friends and family on the other end of the telephone.

‘When I returned to work, the fit testing process was a bit scary and a real insight as to how things were going to be. We had to fill in a medical questionnaire before we started and any boxes we had ticked “yes” to were spoken about before the test started. My anxiety and panic attacks were spoken about and the fit tester made every effort to keep me calm and informed as to what was going on through the steps. I passed my fit test first time and was ready to start AGP the next day!’

The treatments with which she’s involved vary from day to day. She says: ‘The shorter appointments, such as fillings and hygiene appointments, are a little more bearable than the longer crown, veneer and bridge preparations and root canal treatments.’

Most patients are sympathetic – although, she adds: ‘We are not looking for sympathy, more just someone to acknowledge the struggle all of us dental staff are going through for them to be sat in the chair, such as PPE and the slashing of surgery times due to fallow periods.

‘However, we have to appreciate this is a huge change for them, too. Most patients are nervous enough as it is coming to the dental surgery, let alone during a pandemic and with us looking a bit scary in all of this equipment.’

She thinks dental nurses do not often get the recognition they deserve.

Glue

Amy explains: ‘We are the glue that holds the dental surgeries together and, without us, the dentists simply could not work and the practices could not open. We are often seen as “glorified cleaners” but we are so much more than that.

‘We are relied on and expected to do so much – most of the time we don’t even need to be asked to do something because we’ve already done it and are one step ahead of everyone else. Dental nurses make such a difference to every practice and are often there before the dentist arrives and long after the dentist leaves.

‘We are the hand to hold when a patient is anxious and the voice of reason when a patient is angry. We are the reason the surgery is clean and turned around ready for the next treatment and the reason the surgery is stocked and why materials are quickly available when a check-up appointment suddenly turns into a filling appointment. The list goes on.’

She adds: ‘I do not know what the future holds for dental nurses or the dental industry in general. All I can hang onto is the hope that we will all stick together and get through this battle and make life as easy as possible for one another.’

Author: