CONTAMINAÇÃO MICROBIANA EM EQUIPAMENTOS ODONTOLÓGICOS: RISCOS E BIOSSEGURANÇA

Microbial contamination in dental equipment represents one of the main risks of crossinfection during clinical appointments, especially in school clinics, where there is a high circulation of patients, professionals, and students. Frequently contacted surfaces, such as the handles of reflectors, have a high potential for the accumulation of microorganisms, becoming reservoirs for bacteria and fungi. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using physical barriers (rolopack) in preventing microbial contamination on dental reflector handles. This is an experimental, quantitative research conducted at the São Lucas University Center's school clinic in Porto Velho - RO. Ten dental chairs were selected, on which microbiological samples were collected at two moments: before placing the rolopack, after conventional cleaning with 70% alcohol, and after the clinical appointments, at the time of removing the barrier. The Samples were collected with sterile swabs, stored in transport media, and subjected to laboratory microbiology culture, with incubation on nutrient agar. The results showed microbial growth in 10% of samples from the group treated only with alcohol and in 20% of samples protected by rolopack, indicating that although the physical barrier did not completely prevent contamination, it performed significantly as a complementary resource. It is concluded that the association of chemical and physical methods can enhance biosafety in dental clinics, reducing the risks of cross-contamination and strengthening preventive practices in the academic environment.