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Correct Answer: between each patient.
gloves should be discarded between each patient. this is a critical practice in dental and medical fields to prevent the spread of infections and maintain high standards of hygiene. when a healthcare provider uses the same gloves to treat more than one patient, they risk transferring pathogens and contaminants from one patient to another, potentially causing cross-contamination.
during dental procedures, professionals come into contact with saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids that can carry infectious agents. by changing gloves after treating each patient, dental professionals minimize the risk of spreading infections. additionally, dental procedures often involve the use of sharp instruments and materials that can puncture gloves, compromising their integrity and effectiveness in providing a barrier against pathogens.
it is also important for dental professionals to avoid touching non-sterile surfaces such as their faces, patient charts, pens, computers, or other common surfaces while wearing gloves. these actions can contaminate the gloves, making them unsuitable for continued use, even with the same patient. therefore, if a healthcare worker needs to interact with any non-sterile item or surface, they should remove their gloves, perform hand hygiene, and then put on a new pair of gloves before resuming patient care.
in addition to changing gloves between each patient, it is advisable to change gloves if they become visibly soiled or punctured, or during long or complex procedures where the integrity of the gloves might be compromised over time. these practices ensure that the gloves continue to provide effective protection throughout the treatment process.
discarding gloves after each use and before engaging in non-clinical activities, such as eating or going home, further ensures that any contaminants on the gloves do not spread beyond the clinical setting. this is crucial for maintaining both personal and public health safety. by adhering to these guidelines, dental professionals help maintain a sterile environment, protect themselves, and ensure the safety and well-being of their patients.
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