Assessment of microbiological contamination of radiographic devices in School of Dentistry

Abstract

Although dental radiology is not directly involved in either invasive procedures or in the use of piercing-cutting material, the high-touch areas of dental x-ray device, including radiographic films, are a potential source of infection. The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of cross infection present in the dental x-ray devices of the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Maranhão by investigating the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in high-touch areas of dental x-ray devices (tube head, timer button, portable processing box and lead apron). Twenty surfaces of 4 dental radiology clinics were cultured in different media. The results showed that 70 percent of the surfaces had contamination. All the dental x-ray devices assessed were contaminated (tube head, timers or both) as well as all the lead aprons. The portable processing boxes showed 75 percent of contamination. The groups found no statistical significance between the different surfaces assessed and the microorganisms. The highest frequent microorganisms found were from Staphylococcus genus. The authors concluded that because of the high incidence of contamination found, the x-ray devices used in the dental clinics could be at potential risk of cross infection, demonstrating the necessity for applying biosecurity practices when taking radiographic and during radiographic processing.

Evaluation of the Behavior of dental Students of the State University of Paraíba Regarding Biosafety in Dental Radiology

“…This transmission can occur from one person to another or through contaminated objects 3 . The dental office is an environment quite conducive to infection with infectious agents, capable of causing diseases from the simplest to the most complex 4,8,15 . Thus, it can be assumed that the surgeon dentist is the main responsible for the control of cross-infection in the work environment 1 .…”

“…Furthermore, the authors found that the components of the intrabuccal X-ray apparatus, the head (76.4%) and the button of the panel (41.1%) were more heavily colonized by fungi, followed by the cylinder (35.2%) and the trigger (17.6%) 15 . In addition, Freitas et al 4 , seeking to assess the microbiological contamination of the X-ray apparatus of a Dentistry Course of São Luís, observed that 70% of surfaces were contaminated and the organisms that exhibited a greater percentage of growth were the fungi (65%).…”

“…These microorganisms are considered opportunist and can cause from simple infections to severe infections, such as endocarditis 3 . Analyzing statistically the contamination by different genera of micro-organisms by means of the test of kruskall Wallis on X-ray apparatus, Freitas et al 4 observed a statistically significant predominance of microorganisms of the genus Staphylococcus.…”

“…In the dental environment, the oral cavity represents the largest concentration of micro-organisms, being susceptible to infections of bacterial, fungal and/or viral origin 4 . In this context, blood and saliva are considered the main carriers of these pathogen agents 3 .…”

“…Despite the transmission of infectious diseases being commonly associated with perforating materials, drops of blood or saliva, can also be transmitted by contact with contaminated surfaces and materials 4 . In radiological procedures, the radiographic film is the largest vector of transmission of micro-organisms 1,5,6 that can be disseminated in the work environment 6 .…”