title: The effectiveness of a pre-procedural mouthrinse in reducing bacteria on radiographic phosphor plates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the effectiveness of three antimicrobial mouthrinses in reducing microbial growth on photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prior to performing a full-mouth radiographic survey (FMX), subjects were asked to rinse with one of the three test rinses (Listerine®, Decapinol®, or chlorhexidine oral rinse 0.12%) or to refrain from rinsing. Four PSP plates were sampled from each FMX through collection into sterile containers upon exiting the scanner. Flame-sterilized forceps were used to transfer the PSP plates onto blood agar plates (5% sheep blood agar). The blood agar plates were incubated at 37℃ for up to 72 h. An environmental control blood agar plate was incubated with each batch. Additionally, for control, 25 gas-sterilized PSP plates were plated onto blood agar and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of bacterial colonies per plate was the lowest in the chlorhexidine group, followed by the Decapinol, Listerine, and the no rinse negative control groups. Only the chlorhexidine and Listerine groups were significantly different (p=0.005). No growth was observed for the 25 gas-sterilized control plates or the environmental control blood agar plates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mean number of bacterial colonies was the lowest in the chlorhexidine group, followed by the Decapinol, Listerine, and the no rinse groups. Nonetheless, a statistically significant difference was found only in the case of Listerine. Additional research is needed to test whether a higher concentration (0.2%) or longer exposure period (two consecutive 30 s rinse periods) would be helpful in reducing PSP plate contamination further with chlorhexidine.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: Radiology Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Sajitha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalathingal
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shrout
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Plummer
authors.affiliation: Radiology Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, Georgia Regents University, College of Dental Medicine, Augusta, GA, USA. ; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology Georgia Regents University Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Looney
keywords: Chlorhexidine; Delmopinol; Diagnostic Imaging; Listerine