Introduction:

The surgical gown as part of the dentist's personal protective equipment is used to reduce the risk of cross infections and preferably made of non-woven textile (TNT).

Objective:

To determine the effect of washing on the permeability of different TNT surgical gowns. grammages.

Methodology:

Descriptive study in TNT gowns of 40, 60 and 80 grams. Dental care was simulated on a phantom by generating 0.1% sodium fluorescein aerosol. Qualitative filter papers placed under each gown were coded to identify the aerosol. 4 measurements were made by gown grammage, one without washing and after being washed in a conventional washing machine. The filters were visually examined and photographed under fluorescent black light whose images were stored and analyzed in JPG format. An image editor determined the percentages of areas with the presence of aerosol. The data were grouped according to sectors and box and whisker graphs were constructed, using the R 3.6.0 program.

Results:

In unwashed gowns of 60 and 80 grammages, permeability to aerosols has not been observed, while in new gowns of 40 grammage it has filtered in the area of the legs. After the first wash, all the weights have been permeable.

Conclusions:

TNT gowns are permeable to the aerosol produced by the turbine after the first wash, so it is recommended not to reuse, and also choose weights greater than 40.

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