If you work in a dental office, you already know that your hands are your most important tool. They are also the part of you that infection control rules care about most. So it is a fair question: where do press-on nails fit in? Short answer: not in the operatory. Longer answer: they can still have a place on your days off, as long as you plan them around your work week. Here is what the official standards say and how we would approach it.
What the infection control standards say about artificial nails
Dental colleges in Canada publish infection prevention and control standards for the people who work in the office. Hand hygiene is a big part of them, and nails come up every time. Here is what two Ontario colleges write.
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), in its Standard of Practice on infection prevention and control, says this in the Hand Hygiene section:
"Artificial nails and nail enhancements must not be worn."
Source: RCDSO, Standard of Practice: Infection Prevention and Control in the Dental Office (2018). The same paragraph applies to oral health care workers who have direct contact with a patient. It also asks for nails that are clean and short.
The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) is just as clear in its IPAC guidelines, under Barriers to Effective Hand Hygiene:
"Artificial nails and nail enhancements are not to be worn by those having direct contact with a client/patient."
Source: CDHO, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Guidelines (last revised 2024).
The aim is nails that are short, natural and easy to keep clean. That applies to everyone who has direct contact with patients, whether you are a dental hygienist or a dental assistant.
Yes, press-on nails count as artificial nails
We would rather be honest with you than sell you a loophole. Press-on nails are artificial nails. Ours are handmade in soft gel and they are lovely, but the rule is about what is on your fingertips, not about the material or the brand. If you are on the clinic floor with patients, press-ons stay at home.
We will not tell you they are fine at work, because the standards say otherwise. This article is not medical advice either. It is a plain reading of what the colleges have published.
The rules differ by province, college and practice
Ontario is not the whole country. Each province has its own college or regulatory body, and an office can add its own policy on top. Some are stricter about nail length, and some also address nail polish. Before you buy anything, read the infection control policy of your own college and ask your office manager or infection control lead what applies to you. If there is any doubt, follow the stricter rule.
How to wear press-ons around your work week
If you work in health care, press-ons can be a treat for your days off. We wrote a similar guide for nurses in Canada. It only works if you build it around your schedule. Here is the routine we suggest.
- Apply after your last shift. Choose the evening after your last working day before a longer break, such as a long weekend, a week of holidays or a stretch of days off.
- Take them off before your next shift. Do it the evening before you go back. Soak your fingertips in warm soapy water and let the tabs loosen. Do not pull. They come off in a few minutes.
- Start with short, clean natural nails. Applying takes about 10 minutes, with no UV lamp and no drying time. Shape and clean your own nails first with the nail file, cuticle pusher and alcohol wipes that come in the box.
- Keep your sets for next time. Our press-ons are reusable with new adhesive tabs, so one set can cover several breaks.
With adhesive tabs, a set lasts 1 to 2 weeks. Ten days is about average, and it is shorter with a lot of water. That fits a holiday well. If you want the full picture, read our guide on how long press-on nails last.
Short shapes and nude shades for your days off
If you like to keep things low key, start with our shortest shapes. Round and Oval Short are our two shortest shapes, and both sit close to a natural nail. A nude shade looks like your own nails on a good day. You can browse short, nude styles in our everyday collection.
Remember that these are for your time off. The short shapes are not a way around the rules at work.
Sizing and delivery in Canada
Each set has 10 nails plus 5 spares in your chosen size (XS, S, M or L). If you are between two sizes, take the larger one and file the sides to fit. Our size guide walks you through it. If you would like to try several sizes, the Beginnerset Reflected has 30 nails in S, M and L. You can find it on the Beginnerset Reflected product page.
We deliver to Canada in about 7 business days. Duties and taxes are prepaid, so there is nothing to pay when the parcel arrives. Plan ahead if you want your set ready for a specific break. You can read more on our Canada page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear press-on nails at the dental office?
Not when you are in direct contact with patients. The RCDSO and the CDHO both say artificial nails must not be worn in that situation. Check the policy of your own college and your office.
How fast can I take press-ons off before a shift?
Soak your fingertips in warm soapy water and they come off in a few minutes. Do not pull them off. Plan the removal for the evening before you go back, so your natural nails are ready and clean.
What if my size is between two?
Choose the larger size and file the sides to fit.
What if the size does not fit?
You can exchange an unused set for the right size within 14 days in our returns centre. You pay the return shipping and we send the new size free of charge.
