What will the operator ask the patient to wear throughout the prophylaxis procedure?

During a prophylaxis procedure, the operator will ask the patient to wear safety glasses primarily to protect the patient's eyes from debris, splatter, or any potential hazards associated with dental procedures. This is a standard safety practice to ensure that the patient is shielded from any materials that might be dislodged during the cleaning process, such as toothpaste particles, water spray, or particles created by the dental instruments.

Safety glasses are essential in a dental setting because they provide a barrier that helps prevent injury to the eyes. This is particularly important in prophylaxis, where ultrasonic scalers or other tools might produce aerosols or splatter that could potentially harm the eyes.

While wearing a mask is important for the dental team to ensure infection control and to protect against inhaling aerosols, the patient's use of a mask is not typically required. Ear protection is generally unnecessary in a dental setting, and gauze is used more for procedures involving tissue management rather than as a protective item worn by the patient. Thus, emphasizing safety glasses underscores the importance of protecting the patient's eyes during dental treatment.