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• After reading this article, the reader should be able to:
• Explain how proceeding with restorative dentistry in an unhealthy environment can affect the quality of the impression.
• Discuss the protocol that will create a good impression.
• Identify material characteristics, such as viscosity, rigidity, and setting time, that influence the impression.

In the dental practice, hand hygiene is the single most important infection-control procedure the dental staff can perform to prevent person-to-person transmission of microbial pathogens. Maximize the total infection-control benefits that can be achieved by minimizing potentially harmful practices to both dental healthcare workers and dental patients by following the CDC guidelines and using the recommendations outlined in this article for selecting and properly using hand-hygiene products that are both safe and effective. Most dental professionals perform hand-hygiene procedures 20 to 30 or more times a day by washing with either soaps or antimicrobial antiseptic preparations, or using waterless alcohol-based hand rubs and sprays. Hands can become dry over time even when using a mild liquid soap if proper care is not taken. Because healthy intact skin is the primary barrier to prevent infection, it is critical for clinical dental staff to choose hand-washing agents and techniques that will protect their skin from damage such as hand dermatitis that could lead to the spread of infection in the dental setting.

• Discuss the CDC recommendations for hand hygiene.
• Develop good practices for effective hand hygiene in the dental practice.
• Describe the recommendations to avoid contracting hand dermatitis from performing hand hygiene.