What types of items are considered single use, disposable items in dental hygiene?

In dental hygiene, single use, disposable items are specifically designed to be used once and then discarded to prevent cross-contamination and ensure patient safety. Items like disposable needles and prophy cups fit this definition perfectly. These are specifically manufactured for one-time use, minimizing the risk of spreading infections or diseases between patients.

On the other hand, reusable instruments are intended to be cleaned and sterilized for safe use on multiple patients, which does not classify them as single use. Items that can be cleaned and sterilized also do not meet the criteria for single use due to their ability to be reused after proper decontamination. Similarly, office supplies, while essential, are not classified within the context of disposable dental hygiene items, as they do not typically involve direct patient contact or pose the same infection control risks.