You can get salmonella from reptiles just like you can get E-coli from humans. Salmonella just happens to be present in the digestive tract of most birds and reptiles. E-coli is the same way with humans and other mammals. If the dragon is healthy and living in a clean enclosure, the chances of contracting salmonella from them are seriously low. Its only when there is direct contact with feces that you should be concerned (especially if the animal is sick or the immune system is weakened). It is however ALWAYS a good idea to wash your hands after interacting with ANY animal, not just reptiles. Dogs and cats carry all kinds of nasties...and I'd bet that your average dog is probably dirtier to the touch then the typical dragon on this forum. We do after all slave away with baths and spotless enclosures...probably to the extent that most people off this forum would think we're crazy.
I should point out that aquatic turtles REALLY hyped up the salmonella "myth". Reason being is turtles live in tanks full of dirty water (that rarely gets replaced). Even with a filtration system (that's usually only there to reduce odor), a turtle is swimming in water that is full of its feces, and subsequently loaded with various bacteria, including salmonella. In the wild the body of water would be substantially larger, and nature would break down anything that's present in the water...but in a tank, that's not the case. So little timmy comes along and picks up his turtle. He then forgets to wash his hands and contracts salmonella. Now all reptiles bare the blame for what really is the fault of humans.
