Hidden reservoirs of pathogens in dental settings

Abstract

Nosocomial infections are a major concern to both clinicians and health care seekers. Investigations have suggested that laptops & mobile phones may contribute to cross-contamination and can serve as vehicles for infection transmission. Therefore, it is of interest to document the data on hidden reservoirs such as mobile phones and laptops of pathogens in dental settings at the Hazaribag college of dental sciences and Hospital, Jharkhand. The samples were collected from 25 laptops and 25 mobile phones from dentists working in a dental college in Hazaribag city. The samples were collected aseptically using sterile cotton swabs dipped in sterile saline by rotating the swabs on the keyboard surfaces of laptops and mobile phones, inoculated into Brain Heart Infusion broth, vortexed for 1 minute in Fischer Vortex Genie 2 on highest setting & streaked immediately on 5% sheep blood agar plates and were incubated at 370C for 24 hours aerobically. The isolates were identified based on the colony morphology, colony characteristics and biochemical reactions. The bacterial species isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Bacillus species, Enterococci, Micrococci, and Pseudomonas etc. Predominant species isolated was Staphylococcus aureus and least was Micrococci. Higher percentage of organisms was found at the Department of Periodontics, Endodontics and least was found in Department of Public Health Dentistry. The percentage and type of organism isolated from keyboards of laptops and mobile phones were similar. Thus, laptops and mobile phones act as vehicles for transfer of potential pathogens associated with dental hospitals. Disinfecting the hands prior to examination of patients and disinfection of laptops and mobiles with alcohol wipes should be done to prevent nosocomial infections.

Hand Hygiene Awareness, Attitude and Compliance among House Officers in Public-Sector Dental Institutes- A Questionnaire-Based Study

“…The Health Care Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has released new guidelines promoting the use of alcohol-based hand rubs due to lack of adherence to use of water and soap for hand hygiene. 20,21 Alcohol based rubs are quick, efficient, cause less irritation and improve compliance. 22,21 However, potential risk factors like finger nails, gloving technique, use of electronic gadgets including mobile phones, ring wearing and other hand accessories play an important role in transmission of infection along with nonadherence to handwashing 15,22,23 The aims of this study were to evaluate the compliance of hand hygiene among dental health care professionals, to access different variables associated with hand hygiene and to identify possible ways of improving hand hygiene compliance.…”