Cross infection may occur from patient to staff and vice versa. Which one of the following infection control procedures is most likely to reduce cross infection from staff to patients?

Handwashing is a fundamental infection control procedure that effectively reduces cross infection from staff to patients. This practice involves cleaning hands thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub to remove pathogens. It is crucial for dental staff to wash their hands before and after patient interactions, as well as after touching potentially contaminated surfaces or instruments.

When proper hand hygiene is maintained, the risk of transmitting bacteria or viruses from the staff member to the patient is significantly lowered. This is especially important in dental settings where procedures often involve direct contact with patients’ mouths, which can harbor various microorganisms.

While other infection control measures, such as wearing gloves or using face masks, also play vital roles in preventing the spread of infection, they are not as effective as handwashing in eliminating pathogens present on the skin of healthcare professionals. Gloves can create a false sense of security if staff do not practice proper hand hygiene before donning them. Similarly, face masks primarily protect against respiratory droplets but do not address hand-borne pathogens. Thus, handwashing stands out as the most impactful method for reducing cross infection in the clinical environment.