How long should you scrub your hands during handwashing?

The recommendation to scrub hands for at least 20 seconds is based on guidelines from health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). This duration is crucial for effectively removing dirt, germs, and pathogens from the skin. During handwashing, the mechanical action of scrubbing, combined with soap, is key to disrupting and rinsing away microorganisms.

A 20-second handwashing routine allows adequate time to cover all parts of the hands, including between fingers, under nails, and around the wrists, which are areas often overlooked. This timeframe has been shown to significantly reduce the presence of bacteria and viruses on the hands, making it an essential practice for infection control, especially in healthcare settings like dental offices where maintaining hygiene is critical for patient safety and staff health.

While shorter durations, such as 10 seconds, might not provide sufficient time for thorough cleaning, longer times, such as 30 seconds or 1 minute, may not be practical for routine handwashing and can lead to reduced compliance. Therefore, the 20-second guideline strikes an effective balance between thoroughness and practicality in the dental setting.