Cross-contamination in the dental laboratory through the polishing procedure of complete dentures.
Polishing of dental prostheses can cause a dangerous cycle of cross-contamination involving dentists, laboratory technicians, patients and auxiliary personnel. The aim of this study was to show the microbial contamination in the dental laboratory during the polishing procedure of complete dentures. For this purpose, 4 experiments were conducted. Experiment I -- Determination of the total colony-forming units (CFU) counts contaminating complete maxillary dentures. During the polishing procedure, determination of the CFU counts transferred to the operator (Experiment II) and of the total CFU counts transferred to previously sterilized complete dentures (Experiment III). Experiment IV -- The total counts of remaining CFU in the lathe spindle after Experiments II and III. Complete dentures were highly contaminated (mean = 1.4 x 10(7) CFU/mL). There was a elevated level of contamination by splatter and aerosols. There was high microbial transfer from the contaminated lathe spindle to the sterile prostheses (mean = 1.7 x 10(7) CFU/mL). The spindles were highly contaminated after polishing procedures (mean = 3.5 x 10(8) CFU/mL). The polishing of dental prostheses is a possible source of transmission of communicable diseases in the laboratory and requires improved techniques for infection control.
Agostinho
Alessandra Marçal
AM
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Miyoshi
Paula Regina
PR
Gnoatto
Nelson
N
Paranhos
Helena de Freitas Oliveira
Hde F
Figueiredo
Luciene Cristina de
LC
Salvador
Sérgio Luiz
SL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000391:Air Microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003800:Dental Technicians; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000382:microbiology