Hand Hygiene

Always perform hand hygiene in the following situations:

• Before and after treating each patient (e.g., before and after gloving).
• After touching with bare hands instruments, equipment, materials, and other objects that are likely to be contaminated by blood, saliva, or respiratory secretions.
• Before leaving the dental treatment area.
• When hands are visibly soiled.
• Before regloving and after removing gloves that are torn, cut, or punctured.

Using alcohol-based hand rub (follow manufacturer directions):

• Dispense the recommended amount of product
• Apply product to the palm of one hand
• Rub hands together, making sure that all surfaces of hands and fingers are covered until they are dry (no rinsing is required)

Hand washing with soap and water:

• Wet hands first with water (do not use hot water)
• Apply soap to hands
• Rub hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers
• Rinse hands with water and dry thoroughly with a paper towel
• Use a paper towel to turn off the water faucet

Surgical hand hygiene/antisepsis:

• Use either an antimicrobial soap or alcohol-based surgical hand-scrub product with continuous activity
• Antimicrobial soap: scrub hands and forearms for length of time recommended by manufacturer
• Alcohol-based surgical hand-scrub product: follow manufacturer’s recommendations. Before applying, wash hands and forearms with a non-antimicrobial soap

Store and dispense products according to manufacturer’s instructions. Products such as liquid soaps and lotions can become contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms. Liquid products should be stored in closed containers and dispensed from either disposable containers or containers that are washed and dried thoroughly before refilling. Soap should not be added to a partially empty dispenser; the practice of “topping off” might lead to bacterial contamination of soap and cancel the beneficial effect of hand cleaning and disinfection.

Yes, certain types of lotions such as those that contain petroleum can weaken latex gloves and increase porousness. If using lotions during the workday, select a water-based product. Lotions that contain petroleum or other oil emollients should only be used at the end of the workday. When choosing a lotion to use in the dental office, get information from the manufacturer about interaction between gloves, lotions, dental materials, and antimicrobial products.