Should the film itself inside the barrier film be opened with ungloved hands?

The correct rationale for this practice is centered on maintaining infection control standards in a dental radiography setting. The film inside the barrier film is intended to remain sterile and uncontaminated until it is ready to be used. By opening the film with ungloved hands, there is a risk of transferring pathogens onto the film, which can compromise the safety of the procedure and patient health.

Infection control guidelines stipulate that any handling of film should be done with gloves when the outer barrier is not intact or when there is any potential for contamination. This ensures that the radiographic film remains free from infectious agents, and safety protocols are upheld through careful handling. Therefore, the best practice is to always use gloves when dealing with films in a clinical environment to maintain proper hygiene standards.

Keeping the film intact up until the moment of use minimizes the risk of introducing bacteria or viruses, which is why opening the film with ungloved hands is not advisable under stringent infection control protocols.