Abstract:

  Background and Aim: Adequate disinfection of surfaces has always been a controversial issue in the dental industry. Several claims have been made by the manufactures as to the efficacy of the different products introduced for disinfection of surfaces. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial efficacy of three surface disinfectants on dental operatory surfaces.

  Materials and Methods : This experimental study was conducted on 60 samples of dental units using three disinfectants: Alprocid, Microzed and deconex. Sampling was done before the disinfection from various parts of the dental units including head rest, light handle, air-water spray and the tray. Sampled surfaces were then disinfected with one of the disinfectants according to the manufacruer's guidelines. Post disinfection samples were obtained from the surfaces using a sterile swab. They were then cultured on blood agar and macconkey plates and incubated at 37 c for 24 hrs. The colonies were counted and isolates were identified using specific tests. Data was analyzed using Wilcoxon signed- rank test and kruskal-wallis test.

  Results: Bacillus subtilis had the highest incidence and E.coli was reported to have the lowest incidence prior to disinfection. There was statistically significant difference in bacterial count (cfu/ml) before and after the disinfection (p<0.001), however, no significant difference was found within the three disinfectants in terms of antibacterial efficacy (p>0.05). Only decconex solution was found to remove all bacteria over the manufacture's recommended time.

  Conclusion: All imported disinfectant products should be re- evaluated to assess their antimicrobial efficacy on specific bacterial strains in Iran