title: The effect of long-term disinfection on clinical contact surfaces.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The author measured the effect long-term disinfection had on common types of dental office environmental surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  The author tested nine common dental surfaces and six spray disinfectants, as well as a tap water control. The author used the "spray-wipe-spray" method with paper towels to disinfect the surfaces. Each surface was disinfected 1,920 times, which was an estimate of the number of cleanings per year. After every 100 disinfections, the author conducted blood removal testing of the surface, which monitored residual blood and disinfectant cleaning ability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surface that was most difficult to clean was textured vinyl, followed by smooth vinyl, enameled metal, service line rubber hosing and brushed aluminum. Diluted bleach affected surfaces the most, which resulted in higher blood removal scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When compared with the control, Birex SE had equal or better cleaning scores across time, which might indicate that its use caused little change in the integrity of the surfaces. The results for the other disinfectants varied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disinfectants should have good antimicrobial activity and minimal negative impact on the integrity of the surfaces being disinfected. Effective disinfection is highly dependent on efficient cleaning (removal of the bioburden present).
authors.affiliation: Infection Control Research and Services, Department of Oral Biology, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, USA. cpalenik@osap.org
authors.forename: Charles John
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Palenik
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001769:Blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D003743:Dental Enamel; D003748:Dental Equipment; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D008670:Metals; D010969:Plastics; D012408:Rubber; D013499:Surface Properties; D014753:Vinyl Compounds
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D008670:Metals; D010969:Plastics; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; D012408:Rubber