Hand Hygiene in Dental Care

Hand Hygiene

• Hand hygiene reduces microorganisms on hands, crucial for preventing transmission.
• Routine hand wash uses plain or antimicrobial soap with running water, recommended for visibly dirty or contaminated hands (e.g., with blood, body fluids).
• Antiseptic hand wash (alcohol-based hand rub) is preferred for visibly clean hands, without visible bioburden.
• Surgical hand antisepsis uses water and antimicrobial liquid soap (e.g., chlorhexidine, iodophors), providing prolonged effect, removing transient and reducing resident microorganisms, and indicated before donning sterile gloves for surgeries.

Five Moments of Hand Hygiene in Dental Care

• Before touching a patient.
• Before clean/aseptic procedures.
• After body fluid exposure risk.
• After touching a patient.
• After touching patient surroundings.

Steps of Hand Hygiene

• Rub palms together.
• Rub the back of both hands.
• Interlock fingers and rub hands together.
• Rub thumb in a rotating motion, followed by rubbing the area between the index finger and thumb.
• Rub fingertips on palm.
• Rub both wrists in a rotating motion.
• Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Other Hand Hygiene Protective Measures

• Cover superficial cuts or open skin lesions with waterproof dressings, even if gloves are worn.
• Avoid direct patient contact if you have exudative lesions or weeping dermatitis on lower arms, hands, or face until condition resolves.
• Use aqueous-based hand moisturizer regularly for maintaining skin health.
• Keep fingernails short and clean.
• Avoid wearing nail polish, nail jewelry, artificial nails, or jewelry on hands/arms.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• PPE protects against potentially infectious materials.
• PPE examples include gloves, masks, eyewear, gowns, and footwear.
• Dental handpieces, sonic, and ultrasonic instruments, and air/water syringes create aerosols that transmit infectious microorganisms.
• PPE selection depends on anticipated exposure.
• PPE should not be reused between patients.

Gloves

• Non-sterile gloves are worn during contact with blood, bodily fluids, contaminated items, and surfaces.
• Sterile gloves are used in invasive or sterile procedures.

Gowns

• Gowns protect clothing and skin from splashes of body fluids.
• Gowns are worn during procedures with potential fluid splashes.

Masks

• Masks protect healthcare workers from splashes of body fluids.
• Masks are part of droplet precautions.
• Masks must be fitted and secured correctly.
• Change masks between patients and when contaminated.

Respiratory Protection

• Respiratory protection, typically N95 respirators, is used to prevent inhalation of infectious aerosols.
• N95 respirators or equivalents are part of airborne precautions.

Eye Protection

• Eye protection (e.g., safety glasses, goggles, facial shields) protects from eye splashes of blood and other fluids.

Footwear

• Enclosed footwear protects feet from sharp objects.

Donning and Doffing PPE

• Specific steps exist for putting on and removing PPE to maintain hygiene and prevent transmission.

This quiz covers essential hand hygiene practices necessary for dental care professionals. It includes the steps for effective hand washing, the five critical moments for hand hygiene, and the difference between routine and surgical hand antisepsis. Understanding these concepts is vital for preventing infections and ensuring patient safety.