Disposable bib holders can eliminate the risk of patient-to-patient transmission of bacteria via the bib clip instead of just minimizing it, according to a recent report in Dental Advisor (June 2013).
The report, authored by John A. Molinari, PhD, and Peri Nelson, concluded that the primary reason to use disposable bib holders is to eliminate the risk of transmitting bacteria from patient to patient via bib holders.
"After examining the various approaches to decontaminating and reusing bib chain versus using disposable bib holders, we've found that using disposable items is a positive addition to a practice's infection control protocol and likely cost-effective too," said Molinari, director of infection control, in a press release.
The authors identified several advantages:
- Using disposable bib holders saves time otherwise used to clean and disinfect traditional bib chains.
- The cost of disposable bib holders is on par with the cost of purchasing disinfectant sprays and wipes and the time required to use them.
- Replacing disinfectant wipes with disposable bib holders is "green neutral," as neither item is recyclable.
- The use of disposable bib holders in the dental practice promotes office cleanliness.
