ABSTRACT
Background: An adequate basic hygiene routine has a significant factor in healthcare but also in dental care. This is critical during endodontic treatments that should be carried out under aseptic conditions to provide successful results. In order to prevent and optimize an adequate working environment and cleaning procedures in dentistry, the surfaces on the workplace during dental treatments need to be measured and evaluated.
Aim: The aim of this study was to identify which surfaces were most and least contaminated during dental treatments.
Methods: This was done in both the student clinic and the specialist clinic for endodontics by swabbing separately on eight selected test surfaces and then using Clean-Trace™ Hygiene Management System that measured the level of contamination.
Results: The operation lamp handle was the most contaminated surface before the patient entered the treatment room, while the glove box was the least contaminated. In general, the specialist clinic had more approved values than the student clinic.
Conclusion: The surfaces were contaminated and required improvement. This study has mainly a clinical relevance where healthcare professionals should prioritize aseptic practices and follow disinfection guidelines for clinical surfaces.