Minimizing surface contact is key to infection control during dental radiography

What should be minimized during the taking of radiographs to keep things clean, safe, and calm? If you guessed “touch as few surfaces as possible,” you’re onto something big. In dental radiography, the number of surfaces you touch matters more than you might think. It isn’t just about getting a good image; it’s about keeping the clinic safe for every patient who sits in the chair and every team member who helps you.

Let me explain why touch points matter in the radiography process

Imagine your work area as a fragile chain. If one link is dirty or contaminated, the entire chain is at risk. When you handle film holders, sensors, mouth mirrors, chairs, light switches, or door handles, each contact is a potential doorway for germs to hop from one surface to another. Some surfaces people touch repeatedly—think chair arms, light handles, and the counter near your image receptor—tend to accumulate more microbes than you realize. The more surfaces you touch, the more chances you give a pathogen to hitch a ride.

The main idea here is simple: cut down on touchpoints and be deliberate about what you touch, when you touch it, and how you disinfect afterward. The goal isn’t to create a sterile fortress, but to design a workflow where clean and contaminated zones stay as separate as possible and where hands stay clean between contacts.

Practical steps that actually work (in plain English)

Here’s how you turn the principle into practice, day after day, patient after patient.

1. Barrier everything that can be barriered

• Use clear barriers on high-touch surfaces: the chair arm, the control panel, the bite-block area, film holders, and sensors.

• If a barrier is torn or damp, replace it. No exceptions.

• Disposable film holders are great, but if you reuse items, always cover them with a new barrier for each patient.

2. Pre-set, pre-plan, and minimize on-the-spot changes

• Before the patient arrives, set up all the imaging parts you’ll need. Have the film holders, positioning devices, and clean spacers ready in a tidy kit.

• Keep the processing area organized so you don’t hunt for things mid-procedure. The less you move around, the fewer surfaces you touch.

3. Hand hygiene is non-negotiable

• Wash with soap and water or use an alcohol-based handrub before you touch a patient, after you remove gloves, and after you clear away barriers.

• Donning and doffing gloves matters, but hand hygiene between steps is what stops germs in their tracks.

4. The subtle art of contact reduction

• Use a “no-hand touch” approach when you can: slide barriers on, don’t grab items by the edges that you’ll later unbar.

• If ever a surface needs cleaning, do it with the least number of steps possible, and do it consistently after every patient.

5. Single-use where it counts

• Prefer single-use items for anything that will be contaminated at the source. Wipes, barriers, and bite-blocks that come in a new pack for each patient are worth it for the peace of mind they bring.

6. Clean as you go, not just at the end

• Wipe down the exposed surfaces after you place barriers and again after removing them.

• If your schedule allows, a quick disinfect between patients keeps the level of contamination low and predictable.

7. The right disinfection products and timing

• Use EPA-registered disinfectants appropriate for dental settings.

• Note the contact time on the label and stick to it. It’s not a suggestion; it’s how you actually kill the germs.

• Ensure surfaces are visibly clean before you apply a disinfectant. Dirt and grime can block the disinfectant from doing its job.

8. Post-procedure wrap-up

• Remove barriers carefully to avoid dragging contaminated surfaces across clean zones.

• Dispose of single-use items properly and sanitize reusable tools before stashing them away.

A quick reality check: what to avoid

Some temptations sound reasonable but aren’t helpful for infection control. For instance:

• Using unsterilized film holders is a quick recipe for cross-contamination. Always ensure any reusable item is properly sterilized or protected by a barrier.

• Maximizing patient interactions or touchpoints? That’s a setup for germs to spread. Streamline patient contact with efficient, clean workflows.

• “More is better” with film holders or other accessories can complicate disinfection. Simplicity often wins when it comes to hygiene.

Turn the concept into a practical everyday routine

Here’s a sample rhythm you can adapt:

• Before patient arrives: lay out a clean, barrier-protected kit with all imaging items. Double-check that every surface you’ll touch is either barriered or ready for easy cleaning.

• With patient in the chair: explain what you’ll do, then proceed with a minimal-touch approach. Let the patient see the steps so they feel involved but not overwhelmed.

• After image capture: remove barriers in a way that keeps clean zones clean. Wipe down the work area, reseal or dispose of items, then move to the next patient with fresh barriers in place.

• End of day: a comprehensive wipe-down of the imaging station and any reusable equipment ensures doors and handles don’t carry over pathogens to the next day.

A few quick checkpoints you can mentally run through

• Are all high-touch surfaces barriered, or do some need a quick wipe before the next patient?

• Have I washed my hands or used sanitizer at the right moments?

• Are any film holders or sensors protected by barriers for current and future patients?

• Is the disinfectant product appropriate for the surfaces you’re cleaning, and is the contact time observed?

Why this matters beyond “getting it right”

Patients trust a clinic that feels orderly, calm, and clean. When you minimize touchpoints and clean deliberately, you’re sending a clear signal: this space protects people. It’s not just about the image itself; it’s about the impression of care. Staff feel confident too. There’s less stress when you know you’ve built a reliable system that reduces risk rather than hoping nothing goes wrong.

A little analogy to keep things relatable

Think of infection control in radiography like cooking in a busy kitchen. You line up your ingredients, cover what can be covered, and clean as you go so the next dish isn’t tainted by the last. If you leave raw chicken on the counter and keep stirring pasta with the same spoon, you’ll end up with something you didn’t intend to serve. The same logic applies here: barrier the surfaces, clean after each step, and choose methods that limit cross-contact. It’s practical, it’s prudent, and it makes a real difference.

What to remember when you’re in the room

• Touch as few surfaces as possible, and always protect what you touch.

• Barriers are your best friends in radiography; use them consistently.

• Hand hygiene is the backbone of safe imaging.

• Reusable items should be sterilized or kept barrier-protected; discard anything disposable correctly.

• Disinfect surfaces with purpose, honoring the required contact times.

A closing thought

Infection control isn’t a flashy specialty move; it’s the everyday discipline that keeps patients coming back with confidence and comfort. The goal is straightforward: minimize touchpoints, keep clean areas clean, and treat every radiographic session as a chance to demonstrate care. If you can do that, you’ll not only capture clearer images but also support a safer, more trustworthy practice.

If you’re curious about applying these ideas to different imaging scenarios—like panoramic versus intraoral imaging, or digital sensors versus film—there are simple tweaks that fit into the same underlying principle: reduce what gets touched, protect what’s left, and disinfect with intention. It’s a habit worth building, one patient at a time.