Knowledge about hand hygiene in the Generation Z: A questionnaire-based survey among dental students, trainee nurses and medical technical assistants in training.

Alcohol-based hand disinfection is the key measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections and nosocomial transmission of pathogens. We conducted a survey among dental students, trainee nurses and medical technical assistants in training from the Generation Z to determine their knowledge regarding hand hygiene and to optimize education. Overall knowledge was worthy of improvement. Females performed better than males. Specifically tailored efforts seem necessary to increase hand hygiene competence in the Generation Z.