Hands should be washed with liquid soap and warm water and dried thoroughly with disposable paper towel using a patting action. Alcohol Based Hand Rub is also suitable for use and should be placed around the practice for patients and team members to use. Encourage patients to use the ABHR when entering and leaving the practice.

With 80% of common bacteria and viruses being spread via our hands, Hand Hygiene plays a critical role in breaking the chain of infection and protecting ourselves from infection.

Good Hand Hygiene outcomes are reliant on the implementation of the correct technique along with appropriate time taken.

Gloves are not a substitute for Hand Hygiene – they are a barrier only! Hand Hygiene must be performed before and after glove wearing.

Visual aids for Hand Hygiene technique have been shown to improve Hand Hygiene compliance so print some posters out and display them near ABHR and in bathrooms.

Ethically, patients who are in pain or are requiring urgent treatment must be seen. A clear risk assessment strategy needs to be in place to evaluate whether treatment can be provided safely in the practice or a more specialist referral such as being treated in a hospital environment is required.

As dental practices are a health care provider, staff should also be encouraged to remain at home if they are ill. This is for the safety of patients but also the rest of the team.

The primary function of a mask is to contain the nasal pharyngeal secretions of the wearer. This is why there has been a lot of information around wearing a mask if you are unwell compared to wearing a mask if you have no signs of illness. In the dental practice masks have additional functionality as protection to the wearer from aerosol and splatter contamination.

Mask selection and correct placement are critical in the level of protection provided. Ensure you know the level of your mask (minimum ASTM Level 2 for any aerosol generating procedure), fit it correctly for maximum protection and change it after every patient to avoid cross-contamination.

Due the high aerosol production of many dental procedures, operating without a mask is not an option. Masks protect clinicians and support staff from inhaling aerosol contamination and from swallowing splatter of larger particles.