Authors : H.R. Khalighi, S. Bakhtiari, A. Radhi, H. Mortazavi, Z. Namazi, S. Badri and S. Azimi
Abstract: There are many sources of infection in the dental clinics but the major source is the blood and saliva of the patients. The occupational potential for disease transmission is high since most human microbial pathogens have been isolated from oral secretions. The aim of this study was evaluation of infection control and microbial isolation in Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUSTN) dental clinics. A total of 385 swabs were taken from 7 clinics; 55 from each clinic. Samples taken from 8 different surfaces in each unit in the morning and afternoon. In addition from clinics door handle, floor of the clinics, X-ray machine in morning and afternoon and clinic’s door handle after disinfection with Isorapid™ disinfectant solution in the afternoon to assess the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and fungi in the dental clinics. The statistical studies of the collected data by t-test with p<0.05 showed no significant difference between morning and afternoon observations. Researchers conclude infection control guidelines in majority followed properly from morning to afternoon. Infection control neglected for certain surfaces such as water tap, back of Dr.’s chair, lever of Dr.’s chair and handpiece adaptors since they had surprisingly high count of Staphylococcus aureus and total bacterial count in certain clinics. The floor of the clinics was highly contaminated with both pathogenic and non pathogenic bacteria. Also researchers concluded that the surface disinfectants of the clinics (Isorapid™ solution) are efficient in eliminating the bacterial growth.
H.R. Khalighi, S. Bakhtiari, A. Radhi, H. Mortazavi, Z. Namazi, S. Badri and S. Azimi, 2012. Evaluation of Infection Control in Dental Clinics: Microbial Isolation. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 7: 112-116.