Dental protective eye device

A method for shielding eyes of a face, the face having a nose, a forehead, and a mouth, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an eyepiece having an upper rim, a lower rim, bridge portions disposed centrally and between the upper rim and the lower rim, upper portions disposed above the bridge portions, and bottom portions disposed below the bridge portions;
• sealing a middle surface of the face between the eyes and the mouth with the lower rim of the eyepiece;
• coupling a retaining member to bottom portions of the eyepiece;
• tensioning the retaining member to bend the eyepiece along a curve of generally constant radius;
• and
• during the tensioning step, pivoting the eyepiece at the bridge portions by moving the bottom portions of the eyepiece toward the face while moving the upper portions of the eyepiece away from the face.

A method for creating a barrier between the mouth and the eyes of a dental patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing an eye shield with a bridge portion, attachment portions, and a retaining member, the eye shield having a generally planar configuration and a generally curved configuration;
• storing the eye shield in the generally planar configuration;
• placing the eye shield on the face the patient with the bridge portions in contact with the nose of the patient;
• bending the eye shield from the generally planar configuration to the generally curved configuration;
• tensioning the retaining member around the head of the patient to pivot the bridge portions on the nose of the patient;
• during the tensioning step placing the lower rim in a sealing relationship with the face of the patient;
• and
• during the tensioning step placing the upper rim in a spaced relationship with the face of the patient.