Evaluating antibacterial effects of three disinfectants on dental operatory surfaces

Abstract Background: Dental operatory surfaces are in continuous contact with microbial agents however, conventional techniques are unable to effectively disinfect these surfaces, thus efforts in achieving a new approach to successfully eliminate microorganisms from these surfaces are of prime importance. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of three different disinfectants on different surfaces of dental operatory. Methods: This was an experimental study in which 167 samples from different operatory surfaces were investigated. The samples included dental chairs (n=54), cabinets (n=54), and the control buttons (n=54) which were experimentally contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (81 each). Three surfaces were left intact as negative control groups and 2 samples contaminated but not disinfected were regarded as positive control groups. All contaminated surfaces were brought into contact with disinfectant solutions for time intervals of 1, 3, and 5 minutes followed by sampling and cultured on blood agar. Colony counts (CFU/ml) were performed following 24-hour incubation time. The data were further analyzed using SPSS. Findings: In all specimens including those disinfected with Micro 10 and Deconex and negative control groups, no bacterial growth were seen whereas in positive control groups and all surfaces contaminated with staphylococcus and disinfected with Sanosil for 1 and 3 minutes, colony formation were detected. Among the specimens contaminated with Pseudomonas and staphylococcus and disinfected with Sanosil for 5 minutes, no detectable bacterial growth were observed. Conclusion: Deconex and Micro10 at 1 min and Sanosil at 5 min intervals were capable of inhibiting the growth of two kinds of oral microorganisms. The choice and the proper use of disinfectants are of prime importance and should be steadily under strict monitoring as disinfection of operatory is among the simplest ways in preventing transmission of diseases through dental practice.