title: An infection control protocol: effectiveness of immersion solutions to reduce the microbial growth on dental prostheses.
abstract: This investigation evaluated the effectiveness of an infection control protocol for cleansing and disinfecting removable dental prostheses. Sixty-four dentures were rubbed with sterile cotton swab immediately after they had been taken from patients' mouths. Samples were individually placed in the culture medium and immediately incubated at 37 +/- 2 degrees C. The dentures were scrubbed for 1 min with 4% chlorhexidine, rinsed for 1 min in sterile water and placed for 10 min in one of the following immersion solutions: 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% sodium hypochlorite, Biocide (iodophors) and Amosan (alkaline peroxide). After the disinfection procedures, the dentures were immersed in sterile water for 3 min, reswabbed and the samples were incubated. All samples obtained in the initial culture were contaminated with micro-organisms. All the lower dentures immersed in Biocide showed positive growth, and the upper dentures were positive for growth in six of eight dentures. The 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% sodium hypochlorite and Amosan solutions have been proved effective to reduce the growth of the micro-organisms in the 10 min immersion period. The protocol evaluated in this study seems to be a viable method to prevent cross-contamination between dental personnel and patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Dental School, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. pavarina@foar.unesp.br
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pavarina
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pizzolitto
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Vergani
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Giampaolo
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine