Assessment of Microbial Contamination of Aerosols in Speciality Dental Clinics- An Institutional Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: This research evaluates the bacterial load in specialized dental clinics to optimize infection control within an institution. It focuses on aerosol transmission, particularly in the 0.5 to 10 μm range, highlighting the risks of cross-contamination in dentistry. The microorganisms present in the dental clinic can lead to cross-infection among dentists, auxiliary staff, and patients. Aim: To compare and evaluate the bacterial load in the aerosols across different specialty dental clinics of an institution using settle plate method Material and methods: The present study was conducted over five days in an institution. 105 environmental samples were collected using settle plate method from seven speciality dental clinics at specific time points: 30 minutes before the institution's work hours commenced (Group I), during peak hours of institutional activity (Group II), and 30 minutes after the conclusion of work hours (Group III). After the collection of samples, the blood agar culture medium plates were incubated at 37°C in an incubator for 24 h. The number of colonies was expressed as colonies per media plate. Samples were assessed for growth, colony-forming units (CFU), and morphology. Data were tabulated and statistically analysed for significance Results: The study conducted over five days analyzed mean CFU values within and between departments across Group I (p < 0.05), Group II (p < 0.001), and Group III (p < 0.001) time points. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between departments within each group, indicating varying bacterial loads. Temporal variations in bacterial colonization within the dental clinics were evident across the studied time intervals. Conclusion: Our study highlights the significant aerosol load and varying levels of bacterial contamination across dental departments, emphasizing the need for rigorous infection control measures, especially during peak clinic hours. The observed decline in aerosol and bacterial contamination levels post-operational activity underscores the effectiveness of cleaning protocols in reducing environmental risks within dental settings.