National Handwashing Week: Dec. 2 - 8

December 2 – 8 is National Handwashing Awareness Week. Keeping hands clean is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness.

Wash Your Hands: The Right Way:

When washing hands with soap and water:

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend.
• Rinse hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

• Apply product to the palm of one hand.
• Rub hands together.
• Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

Alcohol-Based Hand Rinses in Dental Offices

Q. Is it acceptable to use alcohol-based hand rinses in dental offices?

A. Yes, in fact, using waterless alcohol-based agents is now considered by the CDC to be the preferred method of skin asepsis. Most formulations contain emollients to soften skin and prevent dryness. Other benefits include rapid and effective antimicrobial action and increased hand asepsis compliance, as these products provide enhanced accessibility and convenience.

However, there are several limitations such as they can not be used if hands are visibly soiled and they should be stored away from high temperatures or flames. In addition, since hand softeners and glove powders may “build-up” on one’s hands, handwashing with soap and water may be needed after every 3-5 applications.