Surgical masks should be: Labeled as surgical, laser, isolation, dental or medical procedure masks. These types protect against microorganisms, body fluids, and large particles in the air. Loosely cover the mouth and nose to prevent exposure to the wearer’s saliva and respiratory secretions. Made of soft materials and be comfortable to wear. Packaged in boxes of single-use masks. While a surgical mask may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, a face mask, by design, does not filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures.