Environmental microbial contamination as potential risk for healthcare associated infections after dental procedures: a multicenter study
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1
UKRAINIAN ASSOCIATION OF INFECTION CONTROL AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE, KYIV, UKRAINE
2
THE ZARIFA ALYEVA INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF MEDICAL SCIENCE, KYIV, UKRAINE
3
SHUPYK NATIONAL HEALTHCARE UNIVERSITY OF UKRAINE, KYIV, UKRAINE
4
UKRAINIAN MILITARY MEDICAL ACADEMY, KYIV, UKRAINE
5
BOGOMOLETS NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, KYIV, UKRAINE
Publication date: 2026-01-30
Wiadomości Lekarskie 2026;(1):28-37
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Aim: Aim this study to the microbial and molecular analysis of environmental (air, water and surfaces) microbial contamination in Ukrainian dental clinics.
Materials and Methods: This multicenter observational study was conducted between January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024 in fifteen dental clinics located
in five regions of Ukraine. Evaluation of the environmental contamination was performed according to microbial and molecular methods.
Results: During study period in dental clinics tap water, dental unit water systems, and water from the bottles attached to the dental chair units (before clinical
activity and during clinical activities), and surfaces of dental equipment, and air (during clinical activities) was heavily contaminated with potential pathogens
of healthcare associated infections (HAIs). The bacteria identified were mainly of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. The main potentially HAI
pathogenic
of bacteria were Escherichia coli (13%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.1%), Enterococcus faecalis (4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.6%), Acinetobacter
lwoffii (3.5%), Acinetobacter baumannii (3.3%), Klebsiella oxytoca (3.2%), Serratia marcescens (3.2%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (3.2%), Staphylococcus
aureus (3.2%), Enterococcus faecium (3.1%), Enterobacter cloacae (3%), Enterobacter aerogenes (2.9%), Burkholderia cepacia (2.6%), Providencia stuartii (2.5%),
Proteus mirabilis (2.2%), Proteus rettgeri (2.1%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (2.1%).
Conclusions: During study period in dental clinics tap water, dental unit water systems, and water from the bottles attached to the dental chair units (before
clinical activity and during clinical activities), and surfaces of dental equipment, and air (during clinical activities) was heavily contaminated with potential
pathogens of HAIs. Patients are exposed during dental practice to an infective risk.