1Department of Basic Science, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Iraq
2Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Iraq
3Department of Microbiology, Medical of College, Al-Nahrain University, Iraq
4Ministry of Health, Iraq
5Ministry of Health, Teaching Laboratory Iraq
6Department of Oral Diagnosis (Radiology), College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Iraq
*Corresponding e-mail: batoolamms@yahoo.com
Online published on 19 November, 2018.
Mobiles have become one of the most indispensable accessories of profession and social life. The mobiles make life easier, but they pose a number of new hazards also.
The principle aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial contamination of mobile phones belonging to dentists in College of Dentistry in Baghdad University.
35 dentists (20 female and 15 male) were enrolled in this study. Sampling was taken from each participant's mobile by using moist sterile swab impregnated by normal saline for microbial analyses.
The findings of this study revealed that the growth of microorganisms has found in all samples taken from the mobile phones of dentists. The most common microorganisms detected were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus spp., Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. On the other hand, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the microorganisms isolated and their percentage frequency of occurrence between mobile phones for male and female.
The current results indicated that mobile phones can serve as a vector for cross-transmission of community-acquired pathogenic organisms for human.
Mobile phones, Microbial contamination, Dental office
