Aerosol contamination in a rural university dental clinic in south India.

Authors

  • Shashidhar Acharya Department of Community Dentistry,Manipal College of Dental Sciences,Manipal,INDIA 576104
  • Harsh Priya Dept of Community Dentistry
  • Bharathi Purohit Dept of Community Dentistry
  • Meghashyam Bhat Department of Community Dentistry

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3396/ijic.v6i1.3399

Abstract

Aerosol and splatter are a concern in dentistry because of possible transmission of infectious agents and their potential effects on the health of patients and dental personnel. The objectives of the study were to assess and compare amount of aerosol contamination produced by ultrasonic scaler and high speed air turbine hand piece in immediate vicinity of patient’s mouth during dental procedures and to determine level and type of microbial contamination present on white coats of dental personnel in a rural dental setting. The Study was conducted in two parts, with assessment and comparison of amount of aerosol contamination produced by ultrasonic scaler and high speed air turbine hand piece in first part and examination of fifty one white coat’s of dental personnel for contamination in second part. The results showed higher colony count during oral prophylaxis which was significantly more than during cavity preparation; and the count was highest from patient’s chest area. Also, gram positive organisms were most dominant organisms seen on white coats and resistant strains were found during antibiotic sensitivity of the identified bacterial colonies in both studies. It was concluded from the study that dental procedures like scaling and cavity preparation caused considerable aerosol contamination in the immediate vicinity of the patient’s mouth and of dentists’ barrier clothing. Key Words: Infection control, Aerosol contamination,Dental, White coat, Rural.

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Author Biographies

Shashidhar Acharya, Department of Community Dentistry,Manipal College of Dental Sciences,Manipal,INDIA 576104

Dr.Shashidhar Acharya,Associate Professor,Dept of Community Dentistry

Harsh Priya, Dept of Community Dentistry

Post Graduate Student,Dept of Community Dentistry

Bharathi Purohit, Dept of Community Dentistry

Post Graduate Student,Dept of Community Dentistry

Meghashyam Bhat, Department of Community Dentistry

Reader,Department of Community Dentistry

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Published

2009-10-31

How to Cite

Acharya, S., Priya, H., Purohit, B., & Bhat, M. (2009). Aerosol contamination in a rural university dental clinic in south India. International Journal of Infection Control, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.3396/ijic.v6i1.3399

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Section

Original Articles