title: [Evaluation of biological indicators of hygienic quality in modern dental clinics with a high perceived quality in Catania (Italy)].
abstract: A study was performed to evaluate safety and hygienic quality levels in dental clinics in Catania (Sicily, Italy). Microbiological checks of air samples, surfaces and water were performed in seven modern dental clinics with a high perceived quality of care. In total, 16 active dental units were present in the clinics included in the study. Water samples were obtained from dental air-water syringes and directly from the water supply and analyzed to determine aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts, coliform counts and number of legionella unit-forming-colonies. The BART™ system was used to identify Pseudomonas spp. and other biological indicators. Critical levels of one or more indicators were found in the water circuits. In particular, Legionella pneumophila was found in five dental units, associated with Pseudomonas spp., high mesophilic aerobic bacterial counts and the presence of slime-producing bacteria. The results indicate the need for hygienic quality control checks through the use of appriopriate biological indicators, even in dental clinics with a high perceived quality.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento G.F.Ingrassia - Igiene e Sanità Pubblica, Università di Catania.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marranzano
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ragusa
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cicciù
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Santa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvo
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003740:Dental Clinics / Q000592:standards*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D007558:Italy; D014871:Water Microbiology