Dental PPE in Canada
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a fundamental and non-negotiable supply category for all Canadian dental practices. Provincial regulatory bodies and Health Canada’s infection prevention and control (IPAC) guidance mandates specific PPE standards for dental settings, ensuring consistent demand across all practice types and sizes.
Post-COVID, Canadian dental regulatory bodies including the RCDSO (Ontario), CDSBC (BC), ADA&C (Alberta) and others updated their IPAC guidelines, in many cases maintaining elevated PPE standards that were introduced during the pandemic — sustaining higher per-appointment PPE consumption compared to pre-2020 levels.
PPE CategoriesKey Dental PPE Categories in Canada
- Examination Gloves: Nitrile (most common), latex and vinyl. Required for all patient-contact procedures. Health Canada regulates as Class I medical devices.
- Surgical & Procedural Masks: ASTM Level 1 (low barrier), Level 2 (moderate) and Level 3 (high barrier for aerosol-generating procedures). N95 respirators for specific high-risk procedures.
- Face Shields & Eye Protection: Required for aerosol-generating procedures. Reusable and disposable options. Post-COVID IPAC guidelines have maintained mandatory eye protection in most Canadian provinces.
- Gowns & Protective Clothing: Fluid-resistant gowns or disposable coveralls for surgical procedures and aerosol-generating treatments. Long-sleeved clinical uniforms with fluid resistance for standard procedures.
- Shoe Covers & Hair Covers: Required in surgical settings and for oral surgery procedures in many Canadian practices.
Regulatory Note: All PPE sold in Canada for dental use must comply with Health Canada Medical Devices Regulations. Surgical masks are classified as Class I medical devices and must meet applicable ASTM F2100 performance standards. N95 respirators must meet NIOSH certification requirements.
Canadian Dental IPAC Guidelines & PPE Requirements
The Provincial Dental Regulatory Authorities across Canada have published updated IPAC guidelines that specify minimum PPE requirements for various procedure types:
| Procedure Type | Minimum PPE Required |
|---|---|
| Examination (non-AGP) | Gloves, surgical mask, eye protection |
| Aerosol-Generating (AGP) | Gloves, N95/surgical mask, face shield, gown |
| Surgical Procedures | Sterile gloves, surgical mask, face shield, sterile gown |
| Hygiene Appointments | Gloves, surgical mask, face shield, clinical gown |
Dental PPE Suppliers in Canada
Canada’s dental PPE supply chain is served by both national dental distributors and specialist PPE suppliers. Henry Schein Canada, Patterson Dental and Sinclair Dental all stock comprehensive PPE ranges. Specialist dental PPE suppliers including Medicom (Montreal-based, one of North America’s largest mask manufacturers) and Cranberry are prominent in the Canadian market.