Which practice most effectively prevents cross-contamination in a dental operatory?

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Multiple Choice

Which practice most effectively prevents cross-contamination in a dental operatory?

Hand hygiene before donning gloves is the best practice because it removes transient bacteria from the hands before they ever touch gloves, reducing the chance of transferring microbes to the gloves, instruments, or patient. Gloves are a barrier, but they don’t eliminate contamination on hands, and microbes can be introduced onto gloves during donning or transfer during procedures. Regular hand hygiene also supports safe transitions between tasks and after glove removal. Reusing disposable surfaces without disinfection, cleaning instruments without changing gloves, or wearing gloves only during patient contact do not reliably prevent cross-contamination.

Hand hygiene before donning gloves is the best practice because it removes transient bacteria from the hands before they ever touch gloves, reducing the chance of transferring microbes to the gloves, instruments, or patient. Gloves are a barrier, but they don’t eliminate contamination on hands, and microbes can be introduced onto gloves during donning or transfer during procedures. Regular hand hygiene also supports safe transitions between tasks and after glove removal. Reusing disposable surfaces without disinfection, cleaning instruments without changing gloves, or wearing gloves only during patient contact do not reliably prevent cross-contamination.

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