Reference/Features

Hand hygiene and hand care for dental care professionals

7 mins read Hand hygiene
Hand hygiene is important for the protection of patients and dental nurses. However, during hand washing, hand soaps not only remove soils, but also the natural oils that protect the skin. As such, dental nurses need to understand the importance of following a good skin care regime

Research has shown that improvement in skin condition is associated with an increase in hand washing (McCormick et al. 2000; Wicket and Vischer, 2006) and yet staff are reluctant to use hand creams and do not view hand care as a priority (Bissett and Craig, 2006).

Anecdotal evidence also indicates that not all dental care professionals have access to hand care products and yet skin may lead to bacteria colonising the skin and the possible spread of blood-borne viruses as well as other microorganisms.

The importance of hand hygiene for the protection of patients and healthcare workers has been well-documented in acute care settings. Healthcare-acquired infections (HCAIs) are a major source of illness and death in hospitalised patients, and approximately 20–40% of these infections are a result of cross-infection via the hands of healthcare personnel.

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