Abstract

GRANILLO, Berta A; KOMAID VAN GELDEREN, Ana M  and  BENITO DE CARDENAS, I. Laura. Determinación de la variación de la contaminación ambiental en salas de clínica de la facultad de odontología UNT. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2006, vol.44, n.2, pp.227-231. ISSN 0001-6365.

The infection control is considered one of the main interests of the dental community because there are lots of infectious agents that can be transmitted among patients and the personnel of oral health. One of the potential infection roads is the bioaerosol generated in the dentistry practice by the use of high-speed instruments. The infectious aerosols can be inhaled, causing infectious illnesses as flu, tuberculosis and others. The aim of this work was to determine how the contamination generated by aerosols in the clinical rooms of the FOUNT evolved in different times of the year. For this the impaction method by graveness was developed, using blood agar plates exposed during one hour in areas of the previously chosen rooms according to the biggest and smaller circulation of people and for the air produced by the movement of the doors. These plates were incubated at 37º C in aerobiosis during 72 hours. The exhibitions were carried out in 3 times of the school period: 1 - before the winter recess with activity in the rooms. 2 - after the winter recess without activity in the rooms. 3 - after the winter recess with activity in the rooms. The results obtained from the average of CFU recount are: Room A, exposition 1: 327; exposition 2: 37; exposition 3: 180. Room B, exposition 1: 163; exposition 2: 6; exposition 3: 148. Room C, exposition 1: 286; exposition 2: 27; exposition 3: 136. There were carried out statistical studies that showed the significant difference between periods of recess and activity in clinical rooms. These results support the use of barriers of personal protection, the isolation with rubber dike during the dental treatment, and that a good ventilation is essential so that the causing microorganisms of illness of air transmission won’t remain in the air of the clinic rooms, in addition to the necessity of disinfections as a routine of all the surfaces. Supported by the Research Council of the National University of Tucumán

Keywords : environmental contamination; infectious aerosol; crossed infection.