What must be indicated on the cup used to prepare supplies?

Indicating the name of the patient on the cup used to prepare supplies is essential for ensuring proper patient identification and minimizing the risk of errors. Correctly labeling supplies with the patient's name helps dental professionals maintain an organized and safe environment, especially in practices where multiple patients are treated simultaneously. This practice not only fosters clear communication among the healthcare team but also assures that the right procedures and materials are applied to the correct individual, thereby upholding rigorous infection control standards and enhancing patient safety. The other considerations, such as the type of instrument, date of procedure, or amount of material, although important in their own contexts, do not prioritize patient identification to the same extent, making the patient's name the most critical detail to denote on the preparation cup.