title: Efficacy of preprocedural mouth rinsing in reducing aerosol contamination produced by ultrasonic scaler: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aerosol generated by an ultrasonic scaler contains microorganisms that can penetrate into the body through the respiratory system of dental surgeons and patients. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of commercially available preprocedural mouthrinses containing 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, an herbal mouthwash, and water in reducing the levels of viable bacteria in aerosols.
  
  
  METHODS
  This single-center, double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized, three-group parallel design was conducted over a period of 45 days. Twenty-four patients with chronic periodontitis were divided randomly into three groups (A, B, and C) of eight patients each to receive 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, herbal mouthwash, and water, respectively, as a preprocedural rinse. The aerosol produced by the ultrasonic unit was collected at patient's chest area, doctor's chest area, and assistant's chest area on blood agar plates in all three groups. The blood agar plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours, and the total number of colony-forming units (CFUs) was counted and statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that CFUs in groups A and B were significantly reduced compared with group C, P <0.001 (analysis of variance). Also, CFUs in group A were significantly reduced compared with group B, P <0.05 (independent t-test). The numbers of CFUs were highest at the patient's chest area and lowest at the assistant's chest area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that a routine preprocedural mouthrinse could eliminate the majority of bacterial aerosols generated by the use of an ultrasonic unit, and that 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate is more effective than herbal mouthwash.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Vyas Dental College and Hospital, Jodhpur, India.
authors.forename: Gunjan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Dipika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitra
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Ashok
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Sweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soni
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Ashtha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine