Bacteria on surfaces contacted during intraoral radiographic examinations

Objective: To determine the presence of bacteria by means of microbiological analysis on the surfaces contacted by the operator during the taking and processing of intraoral radiographs at different times of the day in the Oral Radiology Service of the UPCH. Materials and methods: Nine surfaces of the oral radiology service were sampled. The samples were taken at two times by the same investigator; at the beginning and the end of the activities in the service, the surfaces were swabbed with Trypticase Soy Broth (TSB). The samples were inoculated and incubated in three culture media (Plate Count Agar, Lamb’s Blood Agar and Cetrimide Agar). Then the respective Colony Forming Unit (CFU) count was performed and Gram staining was also performed. Results: A high concentration of bacteria (4180 CFU/mL) and fungi was found in the oral radiology service. Gram-positive cocci were the most frequently found microorganisms and gram-negative bacilli were less frequently found. Conclusions: There is a high contamination of bacteria in the oral radiology service. When the activities are completed, the number of bacteria decreases, but the variety of bacteria increases.