Which option correctly lists all five moments of hygiene?

• A. Before patient contact; Before aseptic tasks; After body fluid exposure; After patient contact; After contact with patient surroundings
• B. Before aseptic tasks; After patient contact; Before patient contact; After body fluid exposure; After contact with patient surroundings
• C. Before patient contact; After patient contact; Before aseptic tasks; After body fluid exposure; After contact with patient surroundings
• D. After body fluid exposure; Before patient contact; Before aseptic tasks; After patient contact; After contact with patient surroundings

Answer: (A)

The five moments of hygiene guide when to perform hand hygiene in dental practice to prevent transmission. The sequence starts with protecting the patient, then protecting any sterile tasks, then addressing potential exposure from body fluids, then protecting others after finishing with the patient, and finally cleaning up after leaving the patient’s surroundings. The correct set lists: before patient contact; before aseptic tasks; after body fluid exposure; after patient contact; after contact with patient surroundings. This order is important because it minimizes the chance of contaminating sterile procedures, reduces the spread of pathogens after any exposure, and ensures hands are clean before returning to care areas or handling the next patient. The other arrangements mix or skip these moments in a way that increases cross-contamination risk.