Personal barrier protection.

Thousands of hours and dollars have been devoted to search for the most efficient way to protect our patients, our family members, and ourselves from potentially life-altering infections. To date, one of the most efficient methods of implementing conscientious infection control for our collective protection is to practice universal precautions in the form of personal barrier technique for all patients treated. The areas of personal barrier protection for consideration by every practitioner are hand washing and hand care and use of gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear, and rubber dams.