Contaminação microbiana em diferentes identificadores de instrumental cirúrgico odontológico

Abstract

Cross-infection through dental instruments begins with the adhesion of microorganisms to their surface, favored by the presence of indentations and roughness that make it difficult to remove dirt. In view of this, it is believed that the use of surgical instrument identifiers is capable of enhancing this microbial retention. The study aimed to analyze microbial contamination in different dental instrument identifiers. To this end, 15 n°3 scalpel handles were used as specimens, divided into 3 groups (n=5) in order to obtain three biological replicates. Each group consisted of four instruments that had different identifiers (laser engraving, silicone ring, adhesive tape and personalized adhesive label) and a control group, which corresponded to the instrument without an identifier. The scalpel handles were exposed to the same organic material for 30 minutes and were subsequently subjected to the cleaning and disinfection process in accordance with the standards contained in technical report n° 01/09 of the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária and the autoclave sterilization process. Microbial growth was evaluated at different times, for a period of 24 hours to 14 days, through qualitative and quantitative analyses, by observing the turbidity of the culture medium and counting colony-forming units. Microbial contamination was observed in all instruments, regardless of the identifier used. However, it is noted that this contamination did not occur continuously and progressively after repeating the cleaning and sterilization processes. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that the use of different dental instrument identifiers is not associated with microbial contamination, as long as cleaning and sterilization standards for these materials are respected, highlighting the importance of interdependence between these steps for effective removal of microorganisms.