Assessment of Bacterial Presence Among New and “In Use” Resealable Biomaterials Within the Pediatric Dental Clinic

Background: Dental offices and clinics utilize a variety of dental materials that are delivered in reusable containers and dispensers. However, many of these materials, including NeoPutty, BC Putty, Flowable, and Diapex, may be subject to bacterial contamination and microbial exposures from the surrounding dental office environment. Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify and identify microbial contamination, specifically in regard to these reusable dental materials. Methods: Surfaces of new and used reusable and resealable tubes where the material dispenses and the interior surfaces of the cap were swabbed and cultured. DNA was isolated from each sample and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to determine the presence or absence of microbial contamination, as well as the relative abundance. Results: Microbial contamination was observed among all of the “in use” samples from both the dispensing end and the interior surfaces of the cap and was strongly associated with the amount of usage. Conclusions: These data suggest that environmental contamination may be present in measurable and quantifiable amounts on reusable and resealable dental materials, which suggest the need to create protocols for sanitizing the surfaces of reusable materials to reduce the presence of microbial contamination identified in similar clinical settings.