dental bib chains

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--Fox News has joined the host of media outlets reporting on recent studies that reveal the potential for cross-contamination in dental offices.

“As careful as the staff at the office can be to make sure everything is clean, there are other places that are not so obvious when it comes to potentially dangerous germs, especially the chain clips that hold a patient’s paper bib,” wrote Fox News health columnist Colleen Cappon in a July 15, 2011, column headlined, “Gross Out ... At the Dentist.”

Cappon cites a study from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry that found that one out of five bib chains tested were contaminated with bacteria, including traces of Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. The majority of bacteria growth was attributed to saliva, dental plaque, skin, and flesh.

Cappon also references the work of Noel Kelsch, former president of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association, whose study was published in a recent issue of Infection Control Today.

“The more crevices and indentations on a clip or a chain, the higher the contaminant count,” Kelsch told Cappon.

Dental bib chains pose cross contamination threat

Those contaminants, Cappon reports, can mean trouble for patients.

“The Centers for Disease Control defines cross-contamination as the act of spreading bacteria and viruses from one surface to another,” Cappon wrote. “Blood-borne viruses have the ability to live on objects and surfaces for as long as a week, meaning germs could be spread easily if surfaces are not disinfected or if equipment is not cleaned between patients.”

Fox News also talked with Dr. John Molinari, director of infection control for The Dental Advisor in Ann Arbor, Mich. Dr. Molinari’s research determined that reused bib chains contained approximately 1,000 times more bacteria than replaceable or sanitized chains.

“Bacteria from (dental) patients mouths transfers on to surfaces through the air from aerosols from air and water syringe sprays or gloved hands in people’s mouths and then touching other items,” Dr. Molinari told Fox.

So, what can patients do to protect themselves?

“Patients can ask,” Dr. Molinari said. “Talk with your doctor about what they do for infection control. If patients don’t ask, they can jump to all kinds of conclusions.”

Which begs the question: Will dentists be ready with an answer?

There are easy, inexpensive solutions including sterilizing between patients and disposable bib holders.

For more information, go to multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/bibchaincontamination/50626/.

To comment on this subject, go to community.pennwelldentalgroup.com/.