title: Aerobic bacterial contamination in dental materials.
abstract: Current concern about disease transmission points out the need for better infection control in dentistry. The purpose of this study was to test samples of dental materials in factory-sealed containers for aerobic bacterial contamination. Multiple unopened containers of 12 different dental materials were obtained from the dental school dispensary. Samples were removed from each container and incubated at 38 degrees C in standard broth medium for 1 week. Those that exhibited visual signs of possible bacterial growth were subjected to a Gram stain for verification. The results of that test indicated that 20% to 30% of the samples of alginate, glass ionomer cement and base powders, and retraction cord contained bacterial contamination. The remaining eight dental materials exhibited no apparent bacterial growth. Thus viable aerobic organisms were found in samples from 4 of 12 dental material products.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, UMKC School of Dentistry 64108.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moghadam
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gier
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cobb
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003764:Dental Materials; D004340:Drug Contamination; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials