USA Today (2/26, Brown) reports that various studies have shown smartphones are “a breeding ground for germs and a cesspool of bacteria.” Experts say our hands and our phones are in contact with a variety of surfaces and their germs, which “can make you, your family and anyone else you come in contact with sick.” The article adds that “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 80 percent of all infections are transmitted by hands, and our smartphones have basically become an extension of that.” Because “Americans check their phone once every 12 minutes,” according to USA Today, there are “plenty of opportunities for microorganisms to migrate between your fingers and your phone.”
The Oral Health Topics on ADA.org provides additional information on infection control and sterilization for dental professionals. The ADA Catalog features the brochure, The ADA Practical Guide to Effective Infection Control.