The correct choice emphasizes the importance of infection control practices in a dental setting. When handling film with barrier envelopes, it is essential to open the envelopes with gloved hands to minimize the risk of contamination. The barrier envelopes are designed to maintain sterility, so handling them with gloves ensures that any pathogens present on the gloved hands do not come into contact with the film inside.
Once the barrier envelope is opened, it is critical to remove the film using nongloved hands. The rationale behind this is that the film itself is typically considered to be a non-critical surface, meaning it does not come into contact with blood or saliva during the procedure. Therefore, it can be handled safely with nongloved hands after the envelope has been handled appropriately, maintaining proper infection control protocols.
This approach helps ensure that only the surfaces that require protection are handled with gloves, resulting in a more efficient workflow and reduced risk of cross-contamination.