Italian multicentre study on microbial environmental contamination in dental clinics: a pilot study (original) (raw)
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Evaluation of Activities Aimed at Preventing Microbiological Risks in Dental Practice
Medycyna Pracy, 2013
Background: Microbiological contamination of water in dental unit waterlines (DUWL) creates a risk of cross-infections, and is a source of biological risk factors in the work environment of a dentist. The aim of the study was to evaluate dentists' knowledge on DUWL microbiological contamination and the scope of activities/procedures they undertake to monitor it. Materials and Method: The questionnaire survey was conducted in 2010 among 107 Polish dentists using dental units in everyday clinical practice. Results: It has been found that in their daily practice, dentists do not follow procedures leading to reduction or elimination of microbiological contamination of dental unit reservoir water. They are not aware of microbiological contamination of DUWL that supply working handpieces with water. They are unaware of the principles of dealing with dental water and water supply systems or the health risk posed by microbiological contamination of unit water for a dental team and patients. Conclusions: It is necessary to provide dentists with information on microbiological contamination of water in dental units, on the correct procedures of handling water and waterlines that supply working handpieces with water.
BMC Public Health, 2008
Background The present study assessed microbial contamination in Italian dental surgeries. Methods An evaluation of water, air and surface microbial contamination in 102 dental units was carried out in eight Italian cities. Results The findings showed water microbial contamination in all the dental surgeries; the proportion of water samples with microbial levels above those recommended decreased during working. With regard to Legionella spp., the proportion of positive samples was 33.3%. During work activity, the index of microbial air contamination (IMA) increased. The level of microbial accumulation on examined surfaces did not change over time. Conclusion These findings confirm that some Italian dental surgeries show high biocontamination, as in other European Countries, which highlights the risk of occupational exposure and the need to apply effective measures to reduce microbial loads.
Evaluation of a protocol for reducing the microbial contamination of dental unit water
Acta odontologica latinoamericana : AOL, 2018
Biofilm on dental unit waterlines can spread microbial contamination in the water. The aim of this study was to investigate microbial contamination of water from supplies and dental units before and after the implementation of a protocol for microbial quality improvement and maintenance of dental unit water. The microbial load was evaluated in water from 27 taps and dental units (reservoirs, air-water syringes and highspeed outputs without handpieces) using the PetrifilmT system (total aerobic bacteria and fungi) and conventional culture media (enterobacteria and Legionella spp.). The bacterial load in water samples from taps and reservoirs was within the parameter established by Brazilian legislation (<500CFU/mL); but the bacterial load in samples from air-water syringes and high-speed outputs without handpieces was not. The implementation of the protocol for the maintenance of microbial quality in dental unit water reduced bacterial load in highspeed outputs without handpieces ...
Infection Control in Dental Clinics
Purpose: The aim of this study was to find out the practical infection control procedures from the dentists' perceptive at hospitals and dental centers at Ibb city in the Republic of Yemen. Method: The data was drawn using a researcher-made questionnaire, random sampling procedures was followed to select 252 dentists from the private, governmental, teaching hospitals and from dental centers at Ibb city in the Republic of Yemen, using a descriptive analysis. Results: The researchers found that the participating dentists agree to the weakness role of the administration regarding infection control where they varied in responding to the role of the dentists during the preparation stage and post treatment stage, but agreed to the treatment phase practices. There was a shortage in practical dealing with the medical waste management and clear shortage in the qualification and training among the nursing staff according to the collected data. The biggest problem with the reviewers who have infectious diseases and didn't reveal their health status to the dentists with percentage 62.7% dissatisfied the current infection control management, also dissatisfied the role administration of the hospital and the Ministry of the Health. Conclusion: These findings are the first to document the practical infection control and the role of administration in Yemen. The situation is very critical and an action needs to be taken by decision-makers and health organizations.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2000
Objectives-To perform a pilot study on bacterial contamination in some dental surgeries (n=51) in a local health unit in Brescia (Lombardy Region, Italy) and to evaluate the procedures to control cross infection used by the personnel to reduce the risk of infection in dental practice. Methods-A survey was carried out by interviewing 133 dental personnel with a questionnaire on the procedures used to control infection. The autoclaves, chemical baths (chemiclaves), and ovens present in the surgeries were tested for sterilisation eYciency with a spore test, and already packed and sterilised instruments were randomly sampled and tested for sterility. Microbial contamination of air, surface, and dental unit water samples were also studied. Results-The dental personnel did not generally follow the principal procedures for infection control: 30% of personnel were not vaccinated against hepatitis B virus, infected instruments were often not decontaminated, periodic checks of autoclave eYciency were lacking, and the knowledge of disinfection mechanisms and procedures was incomplete. High bacteriological contamination of water at dental surgeries was often found and total bacteriological counts in air samples were high. Surface studies showed widespread bacterial contamination. Conclusions-On the basis of these results, an educational programme for the prevention of infective hazards has been prepared and carried out. The results of this pilot study will be used for planning a national survey. (Occup Environ Med 2000;57:721-726)
Microbiological Evaluation of Water Used in Dental Units
Water, 2022
In modern dentistry, dental units are used for the treatment of patients’ teeth, and they need water to operate. Water circulates in a closed vessel system and finally reaches the mucous membranes of the patient as well as the dentist themselves. Therefore, the microbiological safety of this water should be a priority for physicians. This study aims to identify and determine the microbial count, expressed in CFU/mL, in water samples from various parts of the dental unit that are in direct contact with the patient. Thirty-four dental units located in dentistry rooms were analysed. The dentistry rooms were divided into three categories: surgical, conservative, and periodontal. It was found that in surgical rooms, the bacterial count was 1464.76 CFU/mL, and the most common bacterium was Staphylococcus pasteuri—23.88% of the total bacteria identified. In dentistry rooms where conservative treatments were applied, the average bacterial concentration was 8208.35 CFU/mL, and the most commo...
Microbial contamination level of water supply system at the Faculty of Dentistry, USIM, Malaysia
2013
This study was to evaluate the microbial contamination level in direct water supply at the Polyclinic, Faculty of Dentistry, USIM, Malaysia. Water samples were collected randomly from water supplied via the cup filler outlet of 20 dental units and 20 side water taps at Level 16 and 17 of Polyclinic, Faculty of Dentistry, USIM. All the samples were placed and spread evenly on the surface of prepared agar media (the nutrient agar) using the spread technique. Each sample consists of 0.5 mL water. The microbial count was done using a magnifying glass and the total number of bacteria concentration was reported as colony forming unit in 1 mL of water (cfu/mL). In this study water from an aquarium was used as positive control with 220 cfu/mL, while the distilled water taken from the CSSD was used as negative control with no colony of microorganism. The study demonstrated that there were low contamination before the treatment that was beginning of the session in water supplied via the cup filler outlet and side water tap from the sink with 2 cfu/mL. However, two cup fillers water and one side water taps from Polyclinic level 17 showed a slightly higher bacterial colonies with 4 cfu/mL and 6 cfu/mL of microbes. At the end of the session, result showed that higher bacterial count from Polyclinic level 17 than Polyclinic level 16 with the highest reading of 40 cfu/mL. The findings were considered low and the water was safe for the dental procedures. The quality of water supplied at the Faculty of Dentistry, USIM was within the limits recommended by the American Dental Association, i.e. bacterial loads of not more than 200 cfu/mL for dental procedures.
Breaking the Chain of Infection: Dental Unit Water Quality Control
Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR, 2016
The air-water syringes, ultrasonic scalers, high speed air turbine handpieces are connected to dental units by a network of small-bore plastic tubes through which water and air travel to activate or cool the instruments and it had been shown that this system is extensively contaminated with microbial biofilms and pose a potential risk of infection for patients as well as dental professionals. To evaluate and compare the efficacy of various disinfectants in reducing the microbial colony count in water derived from Dental Unit Waterlines. Five random dental units were selected and samples were collected before and after intervention with 5 disinfectants (0.02% H2O2 continuously, 0.02% H2O2 continuously with shock treatment with 0.25% H2O2 weekly, 0.12% Chlorohexidine and 12% Ethanol overnight, 1:50 Original Listerine overnight, 2% Sodium Perborate and 2% EDTA 5 minutes in morning) using different disinfection methods for 4 weeks. Samples were cultured on Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar f...
The microbial profiles of dental unit waterlines in a dental school clinic
STOMATOLOGY EDU JOURNAL, 2017
Background: The microbiological quality of water delivered in dental units is of considerable importance since patients and the dental staff are regularly exposed to aerosol and splatter generated from dental equipments. Dental-Unit Waterlines (DUWLs) structure favors biofilm formation and subsequent bacterial colonization. Concerns have recently been raised with regard to potential risk of infection from contaminated DUWLs especially in immunocompromised patients. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the microbial contamination of DUWLs at RAK College of Dental Sciences (RAKCODS) and whether it meets the Centre of Disease Control's (CDC) recommendations for water used in non-surgical procedures (≤500 CFU/ml of heterotrophic bacteria). Materials and Methods: Ninety water samples were collected from the Main Water Source (MWS), Distilled Water Source (DWS) and 12 random functioning dental units at RAKCODS receiving water either directly through water pipes or from distilled water bottles attached to the units. Bacterial enumeration and molecular identification were performed. Results: The MWS had the lowest bacterial count (499 CFU/ml).The bottled units contained significantly higher numbers of CFU (2632±1231.783) compared to non-bottled units (1484.75±1395.093), p<0.02. Ralstonia spp. was the most common bacteria present in the MWS and DWS (in 96% of the samples). Other bacteria were Sphingomonas paucimobilis 88.8% and Leifsonia spp. 73.5%. Conclusion: There is a need for regular water monitoring at dental clinics, in addition to regular maintenance and disinfection programs to ensure quality water delivery that meets the CDC guidelines for non-surgical water.
Air microbial contamination in dental clinics: comparison between active and passive methods
2020
The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the microbial air contamination values obtained by active sampling (colony-forming units per cubic metre, CFU/m3) and by passive sampling (Index of microbial air contamination, IMA) and to calculate the corresponding equations. Air sampling was performed in ten dental clinics (DC), before (T0), during (T1) and after (T2) the clinical activity, for five consecutive days, once a month for a period of three months, for a total of 450 air samplings. The correlation was evaluated using the Spearman test, and a p value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A statistically significant correlation was found considering both the results obtained from the total observations and from the single sampling times, T0, T1 and T2. Different correlation patterns were observed stratifying by DC. Both methods were able to evaluate the microbial air quality and highlight critical situations; therefore, both can be used with thi...