title: Bacterial contamination of dental handpieces.
abstract: Bacterial contamination of water- and air-lines was investigated after artificial contamination and clinical use of dental handpieces. The effect of lubrication, disinfection and autoclaving on this contamination was also addressed. Bacterial growth was recorded in both the air- and water-lines during clinical and artificial contamination, with water-lines showing heavier contamination than air-lines. External and internal surfaces of handpieces still yielded bacterial growth after lubrication and disinfection, while heat sterilisation (autoclaving) rendered both internal and external surfaces sterile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.amh@sun.ac.za
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Dreyer
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hauman
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008153:Lubrication; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D000431:Ethanol