Evaluation of bacterial contamination in a clinical environment

Although the contamination of the dental environment and personnel through aerosol contamination is a definite source of cross contamination; there is little data on the microbial involvement of the dental environment.

A total of 100 samples were taken from various inanimate surfaces in the clinical dental setting were collected aseptically by rotating sterile swabs moistened with peptone water over the surfaces of the samples and then inoculated into brain heart infusion broth and incubated at 37°C aerobically overnight. Subcultures were made on 5% sheep blood agar and MacConkey agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Growth in the plates was observed.

Out of the 100 samples screened in this study, a bacterial agent was observed in 38 samples, and 62 samples showed no growth. A higher percentage of contamination was seen on the dental chair light handles, suction tips and the pens used by the dental health care personnel's, followed by the instruments and the laboratory equipment.

Establishing an effective preventive strategies for well-practiced infection control is essential to prevent nosocomial infections and promote a safe environment in the dental clinics.