Contaminación bacteriana generada por aerosoles en ambiente odontológico / Analysis of bacterial contamination produced by aerosols in dental clinic environments

RESUMEN

En odontología estamos expuestos a muchos microorganismos por la producción de aerosoles. Por ello es esencial conocer la naturaleza de éstos y su potencial patogénico. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar contaminación bacteriana, generada por aerosoles durante procedimientos odontológicos, con uso de pieza de mano de alta velocidad, realizados por alumnos de la carrera, en Clínica Odontológica Docente Asistencial (CODA), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. Estudio con muestra aleatoria, de 16 de un total de 32 unidades dentales, estratificado por box, con 40 muestras, ocho placas control y 32 placas prueba. El medio de cultivo, se mantuvo por diez minutos, donde se realizaron acciones de operatoria con turbina, bajo aislamiento absoluto, ubicadas en frente del operador y pechera del paciente. Las muestras fueron analizadas microscópicamente, incubadas a 37°C en atmósfera de oxígeno por 24 horas y dióxido de carbono a las 48 horas. Treinta y dos placas prueba fueron positivas, registrándose diversidad de crecimiento bacteriano, promedio 58,874 Unidad Formadora de Colonias (UFC) por unidad dental. El mayor porcentaje de microorganismos fueron Bacillus spp. (28,56%) y Bacilos Gram positivos (24,31%). Siete placas control resultaron negativas y una con 3 UFC de Micrococcus spp. La mayoría de los microorganismos encontrados son comensales potencialmente patógenos. Al comprobar que los aerosoles constituyen una fuente importante de emisión de microorganismos, se hace imprescindible cumplir con todas las normas de bioseguridad que protegen tanto al operador como al paciente

ABSTRACT

In dental practice we are exposed to many microorganisms due to aerosol production. It is essential to be aware of the nature of these elements and their pathogenic potential. The purpose of this research is to determine the presence of bacterial contamination in aerosols produced during dental procedures that require the use of a high speed dental handpiece. These dental procedures were carried out by dentistry students at the dental clinic of the Universidad de La Frontera. In order to determine the presence of bacteria in aerosols, cultivation plates were used. A total of 40 samples were taken from 16 dentistry students while performing dental procedures that required the use of a high speed dental handpiece in conditions of complete isolation. Eight control plates and 32 test plates were used. Two selected areas were examined operator´s front andpatient´s chest protector, during 10 minutes. The samples were then taken to the laboratory and incubated in an oxygen atmosphere for 24 hours and subsequently in carbon dioxide for another 24 hours at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. Finally the samples were microscopically analyzed. Seven control plates showed no bacterial contaminants and one showed 3UFC of Micrococcus spp. The 32 test plates were found to be positive showing diverse bacterial growth (58.874 UFC average per subject). The highest percentage of microorganisms was constituted by Bacillus spp. (28.56 %) and Bacillus Grampositivos (24.31 %), representing more than 50% of the total. The majority of the microorganisms found belong to the commensal family, although they can change into opportunistic pathogen microorganisms. Verifying that aerosols are an important source of emission of microorganisms, it is essential to comply with all biosecurity standards in order to protect the operator as well as the patient