Microbial content of hand wash soap bottles used in dental clinics-an in vitro study

Aim: To determine the microbial content present in the hand wash soap bottles used in dental clinics. Materials and method: Swabs were collected from 10 different clinics from the hand wash soap bottles used in dental clinics. They were then cultured in agar medium and the microbes were identified by its morphology and gram staining. Background: Hand Washing continues to be the single most important step in the prevention of the spread of infection in hospitals. There is a wealth of information on the antimicrobial properties of soaps, detergents, and disinfectants and their efficacy for the removal of microorganisms from skin. There have also been reports of contamination of disinfectants and cleaning solutions in hospitals, leading to out breaks of infection. Result: The hand wash soap bottles used in dental clinics are contaminated with various microorganisms such as enter ococcus, micrococcus, streptococcus viridans etc.