Cleanliness and Hygiene for ECPs

Course overview

This course provides dispensing opticians with a comprehensive understanding of how germs, contaminants, and infectious organisms have shaped both public health and modern workplace expectations. Beginning with a brief historical perspective on hygiene, the class explores how microbial threats continue to influence a modern optical dispensary. Participants will identify common problem areas within a typical optical environment and examine the types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can inhabit work surfaces, tools, and patient-touch points. Current CDC guidelines related to infection control, surface disinfection, and hand hygiene are reviewed in plain, practical terms, with emphasis on standards that apply directly to optical practice. The course also introduces Strategic Best Practices (SBPs) for maintaining a consistently clean and safe workspace, including methods for improving staff compliance and encouraging healthier behaviors among patients and colleagues. By the end of the course, opticians will be better equipped to recognize contamination risks, apply evidence-based sanitation protocols, and communicate the importance of proper hygiene with confidence and professionalism.