What is the required procedure for intraoral items such as impressions before placing them in a patient's mouth?

The correct answer highlights the critical procedure required for intraoral items like impressions prior to their placement in a patient's mouth. Cleaning and disinfecting with an intermediate-level disinfectant is essential to minimize the risk of infection and ensure patient safety.

Intraoral items can come into contact with saliva, blood, and other potentially infectious materials, which makes proper disinfection vital. Cleaning the items removes organic debris and contaminants, while the application of an intermediate-level disinfectant targets a broad range of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, effectively reducing the microbial load. Rinsing after disinfection is also important to ensure that no residual disinfectant remains that could potentially irritate the oral tissue or alter the properties of the materials being used.

Other practices mentioned, such as wrapping items in sterile material, soaking in alcohol, or freezing, do not align with the standard protocols established for dental practices. Wrapping does not provide adequate microbial control unless the items are sterilized, which is not feasible or necessary for all intraoral items. Soaking in alcohol for a protracted period is not a recognized method for disinfection in this context, and freezing items prior to use does not provide any disinfection benefit. Therefore, the proper cleaning and disinfection process is the only appropriate choice