[Dental offices and environment quality].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to survey, from a microbiological point of view, dental unit water, air and surface quality in public dental offices and in control environments in Milan.


METHODS
We studied tap and dental unit water (from fountain, air-water syringe, turbine), at the beginning and at the end of monday and thursday morning activity; air quality with surface air system (SAS) in dental and control offices; handpieces holder, fountain block, arm of the light, dental trolley, inner and outer walls surfaces quality.


RESULTS
Water from the dental unit waterline shows average exceeding the law limits 2-3 fold for total bacteriological counts at 37 degrees and 22 degrees, in all examined points, at the beginning of the working day. There is an improvement in the water contamination at the end of the activity. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently found, total and fecal coliforms are absent, while Legionella pneumophila was found only in one control. Air and surfaces quality is quite good, especially in places with ventilation systems in function.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental unit water is the most critical point among those monitored. Water quality has to be improved with specific projects.
Galli
M G
MG
Istituto di Igiene, Università, degli Studi di Milano. maria.galli@unimi.it
Tesauro
M
M
Consonni
M
M
Moscatelli
D
D
Bianchi
A
A
D000391:Air Microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003770:Dental Offices; D014871:Water Microbiology