INVESTIGATING THE BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF MOBILE PHONES AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS IN FACULTY OF DENTISTRY _ TISHREEN UNIVERSITY*
Abstract
Introduction: Infection transmission in dentistry is an inevitable issue that occurs regularly and in different ways as dental students’ mobile phones.
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the bacterial contamination of mobile phones among students in faculties of dentistry and arts and humanities at Tishreen University and to assess the effectiveness of the surface disinfectant (CaviWipes™) for decontamination.
Materials and Methods: A self-made questionnaire was completed by participants that consisted of 18 questions about the pattern of using mobile phones and their disinfection. (50) dental students as a test group and (15) students of faculty of arts and humanities as a control group were enrolled in this study. Sampling was taken from each participant’s phone by a sterile cotton swab moistened by normal saline, two swabs were taken before and after wiping the devices with (CaviWipes™), then samples were transferred to the laboratory where they were cultured in (Nutrient agar, Blood agar, EMB) and allowed to incubate for 48 hours.
Results: About 92% of the test group and 60% of the control group believe that mobile phone can serve as a source of pathogens. The study showed that microbial growth was (100%) in all samples from participants mobile phones. The most commonly cultured microorganisms from the two tested groups were Staphylococcus spp. (70.8%), Streptococcus spp. (44.6%), Bacillus spp. (36.3%), Gram-negative Bacilli (23.07%), Micrococcus spp. (20.0%), other microorganisms like Candida albicans (18.46%), Spore-bearing gram bacilli (12.3%), Klebsiella Pneumoniae (9.23%) were isolated from test group mobile phones, while none of the control group mobile phones were infected by these organisms.
Based on the findings of this study, a significant difference was found between (CFU/ Colony Forming Units) before and after wiping the devices with CaviWipes™ (P-value <0.05). CaviWipes™ were effective at 94% and caused the elimination of bacterial growth in the medium. Although, spore-bearing gram bacilli were resistant to decontaminants.
Conclusion: The present study revealed the potential role of mobile phones as a way of cross- contamination between patients and dental staff. Minimizing the use of mobile phones in clinical environments and regular disinfecting mobile phones are recommended.
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