Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: February | Volume: 7 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 165-175
Variability in Airborne Bacterial and Fungal Population in Educational Dental Hospital, Umm Al-Qura University
Yahia A. Maher1,2, Raid A. Jastania3, Mohamed M. Beyari4, Hanadi A. Lamfon5, Abrar K. Demyati6, Rayd S. Al-Gowaihi7, Omimah N. Al-qahtani8
1Assistant professor of Basic Medical Science Dept., Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University
2Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
3Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University
4Associate Professor of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University
5Associate Professor of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University
6Lecturer of Maxillofacial Surgery Dept., Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University
7Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology Dept., King Abdullah Medical City
8Intern student of Dental Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University
Corresponding Author: Yahia A. Maher
ABSTRACT
Background: Airborne particles are produced from the oral cavity during dental treatment using high speed hand pieces, ultrasonic and air – water syringing or exposure to the microorganisms present in blood, saliva and suspended in the air. These microorganisms settle some time later on the surfaces prone for transmission of various diseases among the patients, hospital workers and visitors.
Objectives and Methods: The purpose of this research was to determine the quantity, quality and identify the viable (bacterial and fungal) and nonviable airborne particles in sixty four dental clinics (DCs) during manned (during treatment) and non-manned (No patient or staff was present in the DC at these times) conditions into Educational Dental Hospital, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The colony forming units (CFUs) were determined in the air by using the settle plate and air sampling methods and on the surface by using contact plate method. The bacterial and fungal isolates were identified by using standard microbiological procedures. The particle count, temperature and relative humidity for each DC unit was measured.
Results and Conclusion: In the present research the viable and nonviable air and surface count of the DCs was significantly higher in manned than non-manned conditions ( p < 0.001), with their quantity and quality presented in the accepted grade C and D limits according to the standard level guide. The isolated species from DCs was commensal and no risk found to healthcare staff and patients that due to present a good and strict air and sterilization system applied in the dental college hospital.
Key words: Airborne particles, Air quality, settle plate, air sampling, contact surface plate, particles count.