The science behind peace of mind.

From breathable filters and skin-friendly antiseptic to sterilization indicators, 3M solutions can help you have confidence in the equipment that keeps your team and patients safe.

Put confidence in your hands.

More than ever, patients and dental professionals have a heightened awareness of the dangers posed by bacteria, viruses and harmful contaminants. For many years, 3M has helped healthcare providers around the world protect against infection. Now, we’re here to help your practice get back to work with tools to prevent cross-contamination – and most importantly, to help give your patients and staff peace of mind.

As you navigate the recovery, 3M stands with your team – not just as a provider of trusted PPE and infection prevention solutions, but also as an educational resource committed to lifelong oral health for all. Read on to learn more about our product offerings, frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and dental PPE, and other ways you can prevent contamination throughout your practice.

Your patients are in good hands – yours. Trust our science to deliver solutions that help keep them clean and confident: Proprietary filter media designed for ease of breathing. Antiseptic that destroys bacteria while remaining gentle on skin. At-a-glance indicators of sterilizer performance. This is the science of infection prevention.

Infection Prevention Solutions for Dental Professionals

Dental instruments, hands, common surfaces… you know how vital it is to stop microorganisms from spreading at every touchpoint throughout your practice. Proper hand hygiene, personal protective equipment and sterilization all help prevent cross-contamination – and help reduce the risk that pathogens pose to your patients and your staff.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Your team is dedicated to patient care. 3M stands with you, and strives to provide PPE that your staff will feel comfortable – and confident – about wearing. Learn more about our fluid-resistant surgical masks and N95 respirators, and discover the science of safety.

3M™ Personal Protective Equipment
Hand Hygiene Solutions

Hands are the most common source of pathogen transmission – which makes proper hand hygiene a critical part of your infection prevention protocol. Formulated for healthcare professionals like you, 3M™ Avagard™ Hand Hygiene Solutions kill bacteria, but are also gentle enough on hands for frequent, repeated use. So you can be confident that your team – and your patients – are in good hands.

3M™ Avagard™ Hand Hygiene Solutions
Sterilization Monitoring

Sterilization assurance is about more than recordkeeping. It’s the knowledge that your instruments are being properly sterilized every time. It’s the ability to reduce the time required to obtain critical information about the sterilization process. And it’s the confidence that comes with adhering to best practices for infection prevention.

3M™ Sterilization Monitoring Solutions

Featured Videos

FAQs about PPE for Dental Professionals

Get back to work with confidence. 3M.com/dentalprotection is your gateway to useful information about the personal protective equipment that helps keep your staff – and your patients – safe.

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How do 3M Masks, N95 Respirators and Surgical N95 Respirators Compare?
Masks
- Help reduce the risk of large particles expelled by the wearer - such as saliva and mucus - from reaching patients.
- Outer layer of mask may be fluid resistant.
N95 Respirators
- Help reduce particles inhaled by wearer.
- Designed to fit tightly, creating a seal between the face and the respirator.
- Requires fit testing and then user seal checks each time the respirator is donned
- Tested and certified by NIOSH.
Surgical N95 Respirators
- Help reduce particles both inhaled and expelled by wearer.
- The main feature that differentiates a surgical N95 respirator from a standard N95 is the fluid resistance for high velocity bodily fluids (i.e. blood and saliva).
Masks vs. respirators: A practical comparison (PDF, 561.38 KB)

Video: Masks vs. Respirators
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Are all masks fluid resistant?

No, dental masks have differing levels of fluid resistance depending on the material they are made of. It is important to read the specifications to determine which type is suitable for oral care procedures.

In addition to protecting patients from particles expelled by the wearer, fluid resistant masks provide a barrier to help keep saliva or blood splatter from reaching the wearer’s mouth and nose.

Video: Fluid Resistance Testing

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How do I choose the right 3M™ Face Mask?

According to the CDC Infection Control Standard Precautions, Dental Professionals should wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including masks, when splashes or sprays of blood and body fluids are likely. When choosing a mask, a health care professional should consider fit, fluid resistance, filtration ability and breathability.

According to the CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response dental health care personnel should select the highest level of personal protective equipment (PPE) available. For additional details please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dental-settings.html

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How do I use a respirator?

To be effective, a respirator needs to be worn correctly throughout the duration of the exposure. Always follow the User Instructions included in your product packaging. Download our posters or watch the videos for a visual reference on how to don (put on), wear and doff (remove) your respirator.

Wear it right: 3M™ Aura™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1870+ (PDF, 639.30 KB)

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How do I get my staff fit tested for N95 masks?

OSHA does not require any specific certification for fit testers. In 29 CFR 1910/134 Appendix A, OSHA says, “The employer shall ensure that persons administering qualified fit testing are able to prepare test solutions, calibrate equipment and perform tests properly, recognize invalid tests and ensure that test equipment is in proper working order.

Video: Respirator and Mask Fit Test

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What is the difference between a fit test and a user seal check?
Fit Test
- Conducted by a trained fit tester
- Verifies that the respirator can achieve an acceptable fit on a wearer’s face
- Must be conducted annually or more often if the wearer’s face changes in a way that could impact the fit
User Seal Check
- Performed by the wearer each time the respirator is worn
- Confirms that the respirator is worn correctly and has sealed to the face
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Can I decontaminate my mask or respirator?
3M is collaborating with several sterilization companies and institutions that are investigating ways for hospitals to safely decontaminate N95 FFRs. To that effect, 3M is committed to testing 3M N95 FFRs regarding the effect of the decontamination processes on fit and filtration performance.

We are in the process of testing treated 3M respirators from multiple sterilization companies and institutions. We do anticipate that additional information will be available as this work is completed and reviewed with regulatory agencies.
- Current information supports the following conclusions for all 3M filtering facepiece particulate respirators.
- 3M does not recommend the use of Ethylene Oxide due to significant concerns associated with off-gassing.
- 3M does not recommend the use of Ionizing Radiation due to degradation in filter performance.
- 3M does not recommend the use of Microwave due to melting of the respirator near metal components resulting in compromise of fit.
- 3M does not recommend the use of High Temperature, Autoclave, or Steam due to significant filter degradation.
Considering the many variables involved in the process, decontamination of FFRs in the US should follow all requirements of the current EUA issued for each specific decontamination method.
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FAQs about Infection Prevention in Dental Practices

Infection control is top-of-mind in today’s current environment. Review these commonly asked questions for additional information and resources.