Contamination of Dentist’s Hands with and without Finger Rings

BACKGROUND Disease prevention is better than its cure. The role of healthcare worker's hand in the transmission and spread of an infectious disease to the patient is well acknowledged. Indeed, the hands of a health care worker can easily pick potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi from hand touch surfaces before wearing of gloves. For these microorganisms to multiply rapidly, a moist environment present underneath the gloves acts a good cultivating media. It is also reported that the multiplication rate also increases several folds with the duration of glove use. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dentists 20 with rings and 20 without rings were considered. Skin samples from the hand soon after professional hand cleaning and glove disposal were collected. The occurrence of potentially pathogenic fungi and bacteria were examined and investigated disposal were collected. The occurrence of potentially pathogenic fungi and bacteria were examined and investigated with biochemical and cultural laboratory tests. RESULTS Bacteria and fungi were significantly more frequent in dentist's hand with rings than those without rings. 63% versus 37% (bacterial prevalence), among the isolated potentially pathogenic microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. CONCLUSION In the present study potentially pathogenic microorganisms were more frequent in dentists who wore finger rings under gloves.