Microbial contamination of dental radiology equipment

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the quantity of colony forming units of microbial contamination present on the high touch areas of dental radiology equipment. Methodology: Swabs were taken from 4 high touch areas of the dental radiology equipment on 6 days. The swabs were sent to t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hussin, Akbar Sham, Ramli, Mohd Fauzan, Yusoff, Azizah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/18631/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/18631/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/18631/1/prof_akbar.pdf
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Summary:Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the quantity of colony forming units of microbial contamination present on the high touch areas of dental radiology equipment. Methodology: Swabs were taken from 4 high touch areas of the dental radiology equipment on 6 days. The swabs were sent to the laboratory in the transport medium(Broth Medium)and incubated for 48 hours at 37 °C, before being smeared on the nutrient and blood agar media for isolation of microorganisms for 72 hours at 37 °C. Quantification of Colony Forming Units (CFU) was undertaken to determine the quantity of microbial contamination. Results: All the high touch areas on the dental radiology equipment showed high CFU counts. The median (IQR) values between the 4 high touch areas of equipment were not significantly different for both the nutrient and blood agars. (NA P = 0.168, BA P = 0.270). Surface disinfection produced decreased microbial contamination. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the presence of high levels of bacterial contamination of the high touch areas of dental radiology equipment without proper disinfection.