Student Dress Code Policy

Policy Owner: Assistant Dean of Student & Resident Affairs

Policy Contact: Assistant Dean of Student & Resident Affairs

POLICY STATEMENT

The personal appearance of students is important in interactions with patients. Students will dress in a manner that establishes confidence and respect and maintains the health and safety of patients and fellow care providers.

The following guidelines apply to all Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Dental Hygiene (DH), and Dental Therapy (DT) students in clinics, preclinic, and classrooms in Moos Tower and affiliated clinics:

1. Personal Hygiene

• Personal hygiene must be maintained in a manner that does not interfere with the care of patients and violate infection control policies.

2. Hair

• Hair (including facial hair) should be clean, neatly trimmed and well maintained.
• Long hair and religious or cultural head coverings must be neatly secured such that they do not interfere with the field of vision or contact patients during treatment.
• To minimize contamination it is recommended that surgical caps be worn during invasive procedures that are likely to result in splattered blood or other body fluids such as sonic or ultrasonic scaling, surgical procedures, use of rotary or ultrasonic instruments, or operative dentistry resulting in blood splatter.
• Surgical caps may be substituted for or worn over religious or cultural head coverings. If worn, cloth head or facial coverings and hair accessories must be changed and laundered daily. Metal or plastic hair accessories must be cleaned daily with a chemical germicidal.
• All other headwear such as ball caps or ski caps may not be worn in the clinic or preclinic. This includes after-hours.

• Students should avoid wearing any product that produces a scent that is strong enough to be detected by others. This includes, but is not limited to: colognes, perfumes, after-shave products, lotions, deodorants, hair products and other personal products.

3. Fingernails

• Fingernails should be trimmed, clean and well groomed. Artificial nails are discouraged as they have been implicated in bacterial and fungal infections.
• Nail polish must be smooth and may not contain chips which can harbor bacteria.

4. Tattoos

• Newly received tattoos must be covered with gauze until the tattoo has healed.

5. Jewelry

• Rings that compromise clinical protective barriers may not be worn in clinic.
• All watches, necklaces and other jewelry must be covered by protective barriers.
• Facial piercings may not be worn in clinic except for religious piercings.

6. Clothing

• Attire must be clean and neat.
• Students may not wear accessories on their clothing.
• All students must wear School of Dentistry matching scrub shirts, pants and/or skirts in the color designated for their program (navy blue for DDS students, burgundy for DH students, or black for DT students). Scrub pants and skirts should not touch or drag on the ground when standing or seated. Skirts must be at or below the knee. Legs must be covered with nude, black, or color-matching hose, tights or scrub pants.
• Lab coats must be worn in preclinic.
• Ankles and lower legs must not be exposed while seated. Socks must be at least quarter length or higher to prevent skin exposure.
• Students may wear white, black or solid-colored shirts or turtlenecks underneath scrub tops. Students may wear clean, well-fitting, and neat jackets, fleeces, or sweaters over scrubs in didactic course lecture halls or under their clinic gowns or lab coats. University of Minnesota or School of Dentistry logos are encouraged.
• Students may wear business casual attire under their clinic gowns or lab coats with full-time faculty approval on picture day or on occasions when they must come to the clinic dressed in clothing other than scrubs.
• Clinic gowns/lab coats must be changed when they are soiled.

7. Shoes

• Shoes must provide safe, secure footing and offer protection against hazards.
• Tennis shoes are permitted. Sandals and open-toed shoes are not permitted.
• Shoes that are scuffed, dirty, or have holes in them are not permitted.
• It is recommended that shoes worn in clinics, preclinic, or labs be impermeable and cleanable.
• It is recommended that shoes worn in clinics, preclinic, or labs remain in Moos Tower in order to keep them clean and prevent transmission of infectious materials.

8. Badges

• University of Minnesota IDs or student name tags must be visible at all times. Lanyards or retractable clip-ons may be used to display badges.
• Badges and name tags must be wiped down daily with a germicidal to prevent transmission of infectious materials which may be present.

REASON FOR POLICY

To establish a dress code that conveys confidence, respect and professionalism to

patients and is compliant with health and safety standards.

PROCEDURES

All faculty, staff, and students are responsible for enforcing the dress code. Individuals who observe students not following the dress code should take the following corrective action:

• First observed offense: Faculty, staff, or students observing an infraction should speak directly to the individual not following the dress code and remind them of School policy and the requirements of a healthcare professional. This information may be brought to the attention of the Compliance Officer or Group Director who will talk directly to the student.

• Second observed offense: Students not following the dress code should be reported to the Assistant Dean of Student & Resident Affairs. Second offenses may also be reported to the Compliance Officer or Group Director for a follow-up discussion.

• Third observed offense or more: Students not following the dress code should be reported to the School of Dentistry Code of Conduct Officer for resolution following procedures in the School of Dentistry Code of Conduct.

• Students not following the dress code may be asked to leave the clinic or preclinic.

Students requesting reasonable accommodations to this policy should contact the Assistant Dean of Student & Resident Affairs.

FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS

There are no forms associated with this policy.

APPENDICES

There are no appendices associated with this guideline.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is no FAQ associated with this policy.

DEFINITIONS

Students

For the purposes of this policy, students are those enrolled in the doctor of dental surgery, dental therapy, or dental hygiene programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

There are no responsibilities associated with this policy.

RELATED INFORMATION

There is no related information associated with this policy.

HISTORY

CONTACTS