Effectiveness of Aseptic and Disinfection Measures in Dental Offices in Barranquilla, Colombia

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the microbiological risk to which sanitary workers in dental offices are exposed, in terms of the effectiveness of the cleaning and disinfection measures implemented in these healthcare settings.

METHODS: The different elements that make up the asepsis and disinfection process were compared in terms of their effectiveness in eliminating surface contamination. For this purpose, checklists were used to collect information on each of the elements of the asepsis and disinfection process and 60 Petri dishes (two per office) were used to evaluate the contamination of surfaces and ambient air with bacterial and fungal microorganisms. The relationship between the different variables of the elements that compose the asepsis and disinfection measures and the presence of microorganisms that represent health risks for the personnel working in the clinics were assessed.

RESULTS: Bacterial contamination was found in 93.3% of the clinics and molds and yeasts in 50% of them. However, no significant differences could be established in the means of colony-forming unit (CFU) and mold and yeast counts when the different aseptic and disinfection elements were compared.

CONCLUSIONS: In the context of the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic, increasing attention has been paid to the effectiveness of aseptic and disinfection measures in different healthcare settings. In a high proportion of dental offices, microorganisms can be identified that could endanger the health of the health personnel working in them, which could not be related to any of the elements that make up the asepsis and disinfection process.