Abstract: A floss dispenser according to one embodiment has a base with a spool housing provided on one end thereof and a cutting member provided on the other end. The spool housing holds a spool of dental floss and dispenses an exposed portion of floss through an output port above the base. The cutting member has a friction element (which includes a blade for cutting the floss) positioned on an upper end thereof across from the output port. The friction element holds a distal end of the exposed portion of floss a spaced distance from the output port so that the exposed portion of floss extends above the base and through a gap region between the output port and the cutting member. The gap region is sized such that a user can grasp the exposed portion of floss without contacting any part of the floss dispenser. In this manner, the user avoids contaminating the floss dispenser.