What should be done before and after glove use in dental hygiene?

Before and after glove use in dental hygiene, it is essential to wash hands with soap and water to ensure optimal infection control and hygiene practices. This step is vital for several reasons.

Firstly, washing hands effectively removes any pathogens that may have been present on the skin. It helps to establish a clean surface before donning gloves, minimizing the risk of contamination. After removing gloves, hand washing again helps eliminate any microorganisms that could have been transferred to the hands during glove removal, despite the gloves acting as a barrier.

While antiseptic wipes and hand sanitizers play a role in infection control, they do not replace the need for thorough hand washing with soap and water. Hand lotion may help protect the skin, but it is not a necessary step in the protocol related to glove use. Therefore, washing hands with soap and water before and after glove use is the most effective practice to ensure the health and safety of both the dental hygienist and the patient.