The role of a wound dressing is to provide the optimum conditions for wound healing, protecting the wound from further trauma and invasion by pathogenic microorganisms. It is also important that the dressings can be removed atraumatically, so as to prevent further damage to the wound surface during dressing changes. 

A wound dressing is anything that is used in direct contact with a wound to help it heal and prevent further issues or complications. Different wound dressings are used based on the type of the wound, but they all aim to help reduce infection.