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There is an ongoing debate regarding which method of disinfection application is more effective – wipes or spray bottles and paper towel. In this article, we will outline four reasons as to why disinfecting wipes should be your first choice over a paper towel and spray bottle.

Effectiveness

When applying disinfectant solution through a trigger spray bottle , most people will grab 3 or 4 sheets of paper towel, spray the surface 4 or 5 times, and then immediately use the towels to wipe the surface off until it is clean and dry. You may not see an issue with this, but the problem is that for a disinfectant to effectively kill germs and bacteria, it must come into contact with the germs for a prescribed period of time, also known as the “Dwell Time”, to ensure that the solution has had the chance to effectively disinfect the surface. By using paper towels to quickly wipe the spray off the surface, you are simply removing all the germ-fighting action before the disinfectant gets a chance to fully work.

On the other hand, disinfectant Wipes allow you optimize your cleaning process by removing any debris off the surface, while simultaneously disinfecting in one singular motion. As the pre-saturated wipe glides over the surface, it cleans the surface while evenly distributing the correct amount of disinfectant solution and leaving a thin layer of liquid on the surface to dry naturally and kill germs and bacteria in the process.

Oral health professionals are at daily risk of exposure to infectious diseases, and gloves provide an important barrier to contact transmission. Knowing how to perform proper hand hygiene, choosing the right gloves, and following recommended protocols for glove use will help keep clinicians and patients safe and healthy. The federal government has created regulations and recommendations to prevent disease transmission and promote safe health care. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created in 1970 to protect workers’ health and safety. In 1987, regulations for chemical safety were addressed with the addition of the Hazard Communication Standard and, in 1991, the Bloodborne Pathogens Standards — designed to protect against bloodborne pathogens — were finalized.

The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) develops guidelines and recommendations to protect clinicians and patients. Infection prevention in dentistry is largely based on the CDC’s Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings — 2003. In 2016, a companion document was released that provides a summary of the 2003 guidelines, plus new recommendations. In addition to these protocols, OSHA and the CDC continue to develop regulations and recommendations, respectively, to ensure the delivery of safe care.