What are the recommendations for hand washing in the dental setting?
Hand washing is the single most important procedure for preventing transmission of infection. Hands are to be washed after touching blood, body substances, and contaminated items, whether or not gloves are worn. Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed, between patient contacts, and when otherwise indicated to avoid transfer of micro organisms to other patients or environments. It may be necessary to wash hands between tasks and procedures on the same patient to prevent cross contamination of different body sites. Research has shown that long finger nails and artificial nails increase the risk of micro organisms growing under nails or in cracked nail polish.
