Ministry of Health
Policy and Procedures Manual
Title: Dress Code and Appearance Guidelines Policy code: D-DN-013
Policy
Policy Owner: Dentistry P&P Committee Effective date: 7/11/2022
Section location: Dental clinics in PHC centers Revision date:
Applies to: Dentists
Approved by:
Head of Dentistry P&P Committee
Head of Dental Services Directorate
Notes:
1. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to provide work attire and appearance guidelines
for dentists working in primary healthcare (PHC) centers.
2. Policy Statement(s):
2.1. The dental team must adhere to the work attire and appearance guidelines.
2.2. The group leader is responsible for ensuring that all members of the dental team are
fully informed about proper dress code.
2.3. The assigned coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the appearance of the
dental team is appropriate.
2.4. The head of dental services unit is responsible for making decisions regarding
cases of noncompliance and appropriateness of work attire.
3. Definitions:
3.1. ID badge: identification card issued by the healthcare system of ministry of health.
3.2. Head of Dental Services Unit: is a position assigned by the Dental Administration
according to certain criteria in the dental guide manual and reports to the
superintendent of coordination and follow-up.
3.3. Assigned coordinator: the dentist assigned by the Head of Dental Services Unit to
carry out specific duties at multiple PHC centers according to Dental Administration
job description booklet.
3.4. Group leader: the dentist assigned by the Head of Dental Services Unit to carry out
specific duties at an assigned PHC center according to Dental Administration job
description booklet.
3.5. Dental team: a dental team consists of both dentists and oral hygienists.
3.6. Dental hygienist: a dental worker specialized in providing oral prophylaxis to all
patients.
Policy Title: Dress Code and Appearance Guidelines Policy
Effective Date: 7/11/2022
Rev Date: / /
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Ministry of Health
Policy and Procedures Manual
4. Equipment/ Forms Required:
5. Procedure:
5.1. All members of the dental team must maintain a professional appearance.
5.2. All members in the dental team must wear the ID badge, which must be clean and
visible to others during working hours with the photo facing out.
5.3. The following guidelines apply to all members of the dental team while on duty
without exception:
5.3.1. Members of the dental team are expected to be neat, clean in appearance
and to practice good hygiene.
5.3.2. Protective gowns must be clean and always worn when attending the clinic.
5.3.3. Clothes should fit properly and should not be tight or baggy as to detract from
personal appearance.
5.3.4. Dresses, cropped pants, culottes, and skirts of appropriate length may be
worn. Appropriate nylons or tights must be worn with these articles.
5.3.5. Slacks, dresses, skirts, and blouses should be professional. Slacks must be
full length but not touching the floor.
5.3.6. Denim (other than blue jeans) of professional fabrication and cut may be worn
with nylons and socks.
5.3.7. Stirrup pants, capri pants, split skirts or dresses, sweat-suits, shorts, and
sweatshirts of any style or material are not considered professional business
attire and are not permitted.
5.3.8. Stockings or socks are required for the dental team.
5.3.9. Hair (including sideburns, mustaches, and beard) should be clean, combed,
tied, neatly trimmed, and not interfere with patient care; extreme hair styles,
unnatural coloring and unconventional cuts are not permitted.
5.3.10. Make-up and fragrance should be worn in moderation.
5.3.11. Jewelry should not be of a nature that hinders infection control or the ability
to work safely. Permission is given to wear conservative small earrings and
small neck chain. No other jewelry is permitted except professional
identification or medical alert bracelets.
5.3.12. Facial piercing must be limited to one on the ear only, all other visible
piercings e.g., tongue bars and nasal piercings are prohibited.
5.3.13. Tattoos and body art should remain as covered as possible.
5.3.14. The dental team are not permitted to wear hats as part of their uniform. For
religious reasons, the dental team are permitted to wear head covers that
should not hinder the performance of their job nor have an impact on patient
care.
5.3.15. Nails must be clean and not longer than 3 mm beyond the fingertip.
5.3.16. Artificial nails and nail enhancements are prohibited.
Policy Title: Dress Code and Appearance Guidelines Policy
Effective Date: 7/11/2022
Rev Date: / /
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Ministry of Health
Policy and Procedures Manual
5.3.17. Nail polish, if applied, must be free of cracks and not contain nail jewelry or
decorations.
5.3.18. Shoes must be made up of nonporous material, clean, closed, non-slip and
with little or no heel.
5.3.19. Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum are prohibited in the clinical
area.
6. References:
7. Revision: This policy has been revised by the following P&Ps committee(s):
8. Attachments:
Policy Title: Dress Code and Appearance Guidelines Policy
Effective Date: 7/11/2022
Rev Date: / /
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