Nail Polish in School?

[hellofuturedentists]

This may be the most petty/girly thing I'll ever ask on SDN but does anyone know if any schools have policies regarding nail polish? I paint my nails different colors all the time and I know that when in clinic, I would wear gloves so it shouldn't even matter. Obviously this wouldn't be a deciding factor for me, but I'm curious now. Does anyone know anything about this? I found one thread about it but it's 7 years old so I figured maybe stuff has changed.
Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[RuffDay]

All this time, I thought you were a dude.

I would just recommend buffer, and if you do happen to paint your nails then it should be a color not too noticeable. That's what I would think!

 

[hellofuturedentists]

All this time, I thought you were a dude.

I would just recommend buffer, and if you do happen to paint your nails then it should be a color not too noticeable. That's what I would think!

Well, my picture is of a girl and my profile says female, but ok haha....thanks for your input!

 

[Hannah Banana]

This may be the most petty/girly thing I'll ever ask on SDN but does anyone know if any schools have policies regarding nail polish? I paint my nails different colors all the time and I know that when in clinic, I would wear gloves so it shouldn't even matter. Obviously this wouldn't be a deciding factor for me, but I'm curious now. Does anyone know anything about this? I found one thread about it but it's 7 years old so I figured maybe stuff has changed.
Thanks!

Well so far the nail color doesn't really interfere with what you have to do. I wish I could know more from the school's view point but as long as the length is appropriate and functional you should be fine.

 

[aznriptide859]

All this time, I thought you were a dude.

Well, my picture is of a girl and my profile says female, but ok haha....thanks for your input!

There is a good reason why Jennifer Aniston was so popular among men in that movie.

To your OP, in my last interview two girls were discussing how they had to make sure they didn't wear nail polish before their interview. That led me to believe that having it may not be professional.

Of course I'm a guy, so my opinion probably has no merit anyways XD.

 

[Hannah Banana]

To your OP, in my last interview two girls were discussing how they had to make sure they didn't wear nail polish before their interview. That led me to believe that having it may not be professional.

Of course I'm a guy, so my opinion probably has no merit anyways XD.

Good point... Is this question for the interview or for dental school in general?

 

[hellofuturedentists]

There is a good reason why Jennifer Aniston was so popular among men in that movie.

To your OP, in my last interview two girls were discussing how they had to make sure they didn't wear nail polish before their interview. That led me to believe that having it may not be professional.

Of course I'm a guy, so my opinion probably has no merit anyways XD.

Haha if I see someone's photo is of a girl, I assume they're a girl and if it's of a guy, I assume they're a guy. Oh well. Guess it doesn't really matter haha

Anyway, I had light pink for the interview. I figured blue wasn't great, but I don't think anyone noticed the color I had.

Good point... Is this question for the interview or for dental school in general?

This is for school in general. There were plenty of "what do I wear to the interview?!?!?" thread haha

 

[Bifenthrin]

I literally had UV gel tips throughout my first two years of dental school. The only reason I took them off now is because I prefer my nails slightly shorter in clinic and need to get them done more than once a month, which is too expensive with the tips. So now I have my own natural nails, which I paint in obnoxious colors, and which are still relatively long. No one has said anything to me about it, other than female faculty complimenting my manicure.

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I literally had UV gel tips throughout my first two years of dental school. The only reason I took them off now is because I prefer my nails slightly shorter in clinic and need to get them done more than once a month, which is too expensive with the tips. So now I have my own natural nails, which I paint in obnoxious colors, and which are still relatively long. No one has said anything to me about it, other than female faculty complimenting my manicure.

Exactly what I wanted to hear. I love the obnoxious colors haha. Thank you!!

 

[oralcare123]

This will be addressed in a clinic guide. You would be recommended to keep your nails short and clean, nail polish is not recommended or should be light colors - depends on the school. Same applies to jewelry - modest and professional. Surgeons could be more strict and just prohibit both in clinic

 

[THS]

They just don't want nail polish you can see through gloves, or long nails that will poke through gloves or impede the way you hold an instrument.

 

[Weakfart]

I personally can't do work without mine painted so I hope they let me keep it.

 

[Bifenthrin]

Yah I think the big thing here is length of the nail. Should be short. I mean, it's possible long nails poke through gloves or poke the patient? But I don't think color matters.

All I know is that the clinic that I manage, we aren't allowed to have long nails or painted nails because it's not considered clean or something. If you have nail polish, you can't really see what's under your nails (dirt for example). But then again, I see some female doctors with bright pink nail polish from time to time.

You'll find out once you are accepted and enroll into a dental school if they have any rules regarding nails. 🙂 and once you have your own practice -- if that's what you want -- then you can do whatever you want! Pink, blue, long, short!

Long nails don't poke through gloves or poke the patient. Unless they're filed into the stiletto style nails. If they're squared or rounded though, they shouldn't be an issue.

 

[irishmom]

I am a D1 and I wear a gel maniure that I have redone every 2 weeks. As long as they are not too chipped and are kept at an appropirate length they really don't care that I can tell.

Also, I had a fresh manicure done with color for my interview, and obiously it was not a prolem...lol

 

[pulltheleverkronk]

totally thought you were a guy. lol

 

[oralcare123]

Long nails don't poke through gloves or poke the patient. Unless they're filed into the stiletto style nails. If they're squared or rounded though, they shouldn't be an issue.

It is all about hygiene. Long and painted nails are considered to be unhygienic, ask any surgeon. Clinical gloves do not fully protect dentist or patient, that is why we suppose to wash our hands between patients at least and keep our hands healthy and nails clean and short

 

[ajj70]

I do gel nails but still keep them pretty short, barely above the tips of my fingers at the longest. I have very brittle nails and they crack and peal and will be worse washing my hands 20 times/day so the fake nails look so much better, and in my case, will probably be more hygienic. I plan to do a pale color polish for future interviews. I don't go too wild with my colors usually though either.

 

[hellofuturedentists]

totally thought you were a guy. lol

Lol what is all this??? Whatever. Another reason I should keep wearing a skirt to my interviews haha


Anyway, thanks everyone for the input!! 🙂

 

[predent_mathlete]

Another reason I should keep wearing a skirt to my interviews haha

Now I'm imagining SDNers seeing you at interviews and thinking "skirts are NOT appropriate interview attire for guys"