Microbiota bacteriana de la indumentaria del personal odontológico en la clínica privada, Mérida, Venezuela

Gowns and scrubs are used by healthcare professionals for the protection of daily clothing and as a barrier against transmitted infections. Infection control is a subject of main interest in dental community because during dental practice, dental rotating instruments produces aerosols and there is a direct contact with oral secretions and blood, thus representing transmissions routes for gowns and scrubs contamination. The purpose of this study was to determine the bacterial load on the dental workers’ attire in the private practice in the city of Merida, Libertador municipality. The methodology apply was the surface swab of 51 dental staff gowns and scrubs for the subsequent microbiological analysis in the laboratory. Results showed bacterial growth in 47% of the gowns and scrubs, 29% from dentist samples and 18% from auxiliary personal samples. 41 different strains Were found, some of which belongs to the Staphylococcus gender: S. hominis, S. aureus, as well as the gender Micrococcus spp. It was concluded that dental workers white coats and scrubs were contaminated by microorganisms and that could cause cross infections.