Objective To investigate hand hygiene(HH)status of health care workers (HCWs) in private dental clinics in Shiyan City. Methods From September to November 2019, the convenient sampling method was used to conduct a covert survey on HH status of HCWs in private dental clinics in Shiyan City, compliance rate and accuracy rate of HH of HCWs in different post categories were analyzed and compared. Results A total of 26 private den-tal clinics were investigated, of which only 17 (65.38%) had special hand washing facilities, and 12 (46.15%) had alcohol-based hand rub. 102 HCWs were observed covertly, 2 183 times of effective HH opportunities were observed, HCWs actually performed 572 times of HH, HH compliance rate and accuracy rate were 26.20% and 25.52% (146 times) respectively. There were significant differences in HH compliance rate and accuracy rate among HCWs in different posts (all P < 0.001). HH compliance rate (30.80%) and accuracy rate (31.85%) of nurses were higher than HCWs in other posts. HH compliance rate (76.24%) and accuracy rate (40.26%) of HCWs after contacting patients' body fluids were higher than those at other times, HH compliance rate before and after contacting patients was the lowest, only 15.38% and 24.72% respectively. Compliance rate and accuracy rate of HCWs at different HH opportunities were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). Conclusion Compliance rate and accuracy rate of HH of HCWs in private dental clinics are low, and it is urgent for relevant departments to strengthen the management of HH in private dental clinics.