1Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
2Prosthodontist & Implantologist, Private Practitioner, Udupi, Karnataka, India
*Correspondence: Dr. Sivaranjani Gali. Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Email: nature79gali@gmail.com
Online published on 18 January, 2019.
Cross contamination from the patient to dental personnel and again to the patient is a matter of grave concern in dental operatory. In an evaluation of procedures that may be a source of cross contamination, dental laboratory pumice used in the processing of dental prosthetic appliances has been shown to be contaminated with microorganisms. It may result in the inoculation of microorganisms into the patient's mouths, thereby posing a potential hazard to patients and dental professionals. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess the presence and extent of contamination in the polishing and finishing procedures of dentures in the dental laboratories.
Samples of used pumice were collected randomly from dental laboratories in a sterile container. In the microbiology laboratory, 1 g of each sample was weighed and placed in 1ml of sterile saline solution, placed in centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min. 1 ml of the supernatant was then diluted to 10-fold and 0.5 ml of solution was spread in blood and McConkeys agar at 37°C for 24 h. Surface counting method and identification of bacteria was done.
It was found that pumice slurry was contaminated with Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus; thus, recommending a strong and strict follow-up of the infection control procedures even in the dental laboratories.
Cross contamination, dental laboratories, dental pumice, infection control
