Which of the following is a step after cleaning dental operatory surfaces?

After cleaning dental operatory surfaces, the next crucial step is to apply a disinfectant solution. This step is essential for ensuring that any remaining pathogens are effectively eliminated from the surfaces after they have been cleaned. Cleaning removes dirt and debris, but it does not necessarily kill microorganisms. Disinfecting is what addresses these health concerns by utilizing chemical solutions that are designed to reduce the number of bacteria and viruses to safe levels on the surfaces.

Using disinfectant wipes is a common practice, but it is part of the disinfection process itself rather than a step that follows the cleaning phase. The focus on applying a disinfectant solution emphasizes the importance of following up cleaning with disinfection to achieve maximum infection control in a dental setting.

Storing instruments and leaving surfaces dry are important components of infection control, but they occur at different stages: instrument storage comes after sterilization, and allowing surfaces to dry is the result of applying disinfectants rather than a separate step that follows cleaning. Thus, the application of a disinfectant solution directly follows the cleaning process and is key for maintaining a safe dental operatory environment.