• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of latex cover developed for dental handpiece on contamination of microorganisms during dental treatment and to determine whether it can be an alternative to conventional sterilization such as autoclaving. E. fecaelis was used as a experimental microorganism instead of oral flora. Experimental bowl with 2 cm of rectangular cavity was fabricated for handpiece operating instead of oral cavity. Latex covers ($Orokeeper^{(R)}$, Orobiotech Co., Korea) and several handpieces were used after sterilization by autoclave. Four experiments were performed to evaluate bacterial contamination related with (1) various parts of dental handpiece, (2) swabbing time with alcohol sponge, (3) postoperative air-water spraying time and (4) consecutive use of latex covers without autoclaving. The results show that face of handpiece uncovered with latex cover was severely contaminated than the covered area and that most bacteria were removed by swabbing face and head area of dental hand-piece and by air-water spraying more than 15 seconds nearly up to the level of sterilization. Conclusively it can be suggested that use of latex cover for handpiece during dental procedure, swabbing with alcohol sponge is air-water spraying for more than 15 seconds after use of dental handpiece should be very useful and practical for prevention of cross infection and should be an alternative method for the sterilization of dental handpiece under some difficult situations not being able to sterilize a handpiece with autoclave.