29 April 2025
World Hand Hygiene Day – It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene.
On 5 May 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) celebrates the 17th anniversary of World Hand Hygiene Day, serving as a reminder of the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections — not only in hospitals, but also in dental practices. As dental professionals, this global awareness day gives us a moment to pause and reaffirm our commitment to hand hygiene as a cornerstone of patient and practitioner safety.
Hand hygiene is one of the simplest, most effective measures to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). According to the WHO, 70% of HAIs can be prevented with proper infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, including effective hand hygiene.
In dental settings, where close contact with mucous membranes, saliva, and blood is routine, the risk of cross-contamination is significant if hand hygiene lapses.
This year’s WHO slogan, “It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene.” highlights an important principle: gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. The WHO emphasises that hand hygiene must occur both before putting on gloves and after their removal, regardless of perceived contamination.
At ADAVB, we encourage all our members to take this opportunity to review current protocols in their practice:
- Are hand hygiene stations accessible and well-stocked?
- Are team members regularly trained and reminded of best practices?
- Are audits or reminders in place to reinforce compliance?
The WHO’s campaign also stresses the importance of institutional support and leadership in maintaining and improving hand hygiene practices. That means it’s also a chance to lead by example. As clinicians, we set the tone for our teams. Demonstrating consistent, proper hand hygiene reinforces its importance and helps foster a culture of safety and care.
Let us continue to protect our patients, our colleagues, and ourselves—one clean pair of hands at a time.
📌 Follow the link for the World Health Organization World Hand Hygiene Day 2025 webpage.
📌 Explore ADAVB's Infection prevention and control resources, including our Hand Hygiene Compliance Audit document.
📌 Visit the ADAVB’s Safety and quality page for more on practice standards and support.
