RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Evaluation of environmental bacterial contamination and procedures to control cross infection in a sample of Italian dental surgeries JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO Occup Environ Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 721 OP 726 DO 10.1136/oem.57.11.721 VO 57 IS 11 A1 Silvano Monarca A1 Mario Grottolo A1 Daniela Renzi A1 Corrado Paganelli A1 Pierluigi Sapelli A1 Ilaria Zerbini A1 Giuseppe Nardi YR 2000 UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/57/11/721.abstract AB OBJECTIVES To perform a pilot study on bacterial contamination in some dental surgeries (n=51) in a local health unit in Brescia (Lombardy Region, Italy) and to evaluate the procedures to control cross infection used by the personnel to reduce the risk of infection in dental practice. METHODS A survey was carried out by interviewing 133 dental personnel with a questionnaire on the procedures used to control infection. The autoclaves, chemical baths (chemiclaves), and ovens present in the surgeries were tested for sterilisation efficiency with a spore test, and already packed and sterilised instruments were randomly sampled and tested for sterility. Microbial contamination of air, surface, and dental unit water samples were also studied. RESULTS The dental personnel did not generally follow the principal procedures for infection control: 30% of personnel were not vaccinated against hepatitis B virus, infected instruments were often not decontaminated, periodic checks of autoclave efficiency were lacking, and the knowledge of disinfection mechanisms and procedures was incomplete. High bacteriological contamination of water at dental surgeries was often found and total bacteriological counts in air samples were high. Surface studies showed widespread bacterial contamination. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of these results, an educational programme for the prevention of infective hazards has been prepared and carried out. The results of this pilot study will be used for planning a national survey.