Microbial Contamination of Tray, Light Handle, and Dental Chair Handles before and after Disinfection with Deconex

Surfaces commonly touched during dental procedures can serve as a reservoir of microorganisms and lead to cross-infection. The aim of the present study was to assess the microbial contamination of tray, light handle and dental chair handles before and after disinfection with Deconex (Solarsept).

Samples were randomly collected from the tray, light handle and dental chair handles of active dental units in the Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Departments of Dental School of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The samples were collected at two time points before and after daily surface disinfection with Deconex. Thecollected samples were sent to a microbiology laboratory to determine the type and number of microorganisms. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test (α=0.05).

Based on the culture results and according to microscopic examination and Gram staining, the highest level of bacterial contamination before disinfection with Deconex (Solarsept) was found on dental units of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department (handles and tray), with Gram-positive Bacillus spp. Fixed and removable prosthodontics departments did not have any bacterial contamination. Overall, a reduction in bacterial load was detected after Deconex decontamination (P=0.05).

Spraying and wiping of dental unit components with Deconex at the end of working hours decreased the bacterial growth, and this effect remained until the next working day.