Analysis of Microbial Load in Air at Different Time Intervalin Dental Clinic

Introduction: Patients and healthcare professionals can be exposed to several microorganisms that colonize or invade the oral cavity and respiratory tract, or are transported in the water used during treatment, which increases the risk of infection.

Materials and Methods: To determine the air germ count over four consecutive hours, by exposed plate method using Brain heart infusion agar (BHI) plates in the multi chair treatment room of the Department of Prosthodontics, Department of Periodontics, Department of Pedodontics, Department of Conservative dentistry & Operative Dentistry of Saveetha Dental College.

Results: The CFUs in the multi-chair treatment room were between 47 and 243 CFU m3. . During treatment, it reached up to 243 CFU m3.

Conclusion: During treatment, the bacterial count was greater than the actual time before treatment. While bacterial numbers in dental rooms have been substantially higher, the risk in dental clinics is higher due to the formation of aerosols that contain microorganisms.