| Study: Dental Bib Clips Can Harbor Oral and Skin Bacteria Even After Disinfection | Researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the Forsyth Institute published a study today that found that a significant proportion of dental bib clips harbored bacteria from the patient, dental clinician and the environment even after the clips had undergone standard disinfection procedures in a hygiene clinic. |
| Study: Many bib clips harbor bacteria after disinfection |
A new study has found that 20% to 30% of dental bib clips still harbor bacterial contaminants even after proper disinfection procedures. |
| Study: Bacteria found on 70% of dental bib holders |
Inconsistent sterilization of dental bib holders resulted in a bacterial load of 70%, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Witten/Herdecke in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. |
| Dental bib chains carry potentially dangerous germs, Fox News reports |
Fox News has joined the host of media outlets reporting on recent studies that reveal the potential for cross-contamination in dental offices. |
| Patients Urged to Ask Their Dentist about the Risk for Cross-Contamination | Cross contamination is a process through which the bacteria can be transferred from one patient to the other through the dental equipment used at the office such as bib chains, holders, saliva trays, etc. According to an international scientist working in the field of infection control, it is extremely important that patients will ask their dentist about the risk of cross-contamination they might be exposed to in a dental office. |
| Bugs, bibs, and the chain of infection |
Increasingly, used bib holders have come under scrutiny as a potential source of cross-contamination. |
| Dental Bib Chains Pose Cross Contamination Threat |
Cross contamination can occur when a bib chain ‘grabs' onto hair or accumulates patients' sweat, make-up, and neck acne, not to mention the oral substances that spray out of the mouth. During a dental cleaning, saliva, plaque and even blood can come in contact with the bib and bib chain. |
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Wet, used towels left in the gym. Dirty tissues discarded by someone suffering from a nasty cold. A toothbrush discovered in a hotel room. Most of us would never use or even touch these items. But without knowing it, we may be sharing something that could be just as disgusting and potentially dangerous. When we visit a dental office and a bib chain that is not sterilized between patients is placed around our neck, we may be unwittingly exposed to pseudomonas, E. coli and S. aureus – the most common cause of staph infections and a potential "superbug." |
| Don't clip that crud on me |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines cross-contamination as the act of spreading bacteria and viruses from one surface to another. Since blood-borne viruses can live on objects and surfaces for up to a week, germs could be spread when surfaces are not disinfected the right way or if equipment is not cleaned and sterilized between patients. |
Don't cross-contaminate me
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Certainly, infection control has become much more serious and effective. Everything that goes into the patient's mouth is autoclaved or disposable. Countertops and surfaces that cannot be sterilized are disinfected. We know we cannot make the dental operatory a completely sterile environment, but we're certainly doing a better job of controlling it. |
Study finds dental bib chain contamination
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A study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Dentistry Oral Microbiology Laboratory found that dental bib clips may be potential sources of cross-contamination in a dental office. |
| Bib Chain Contamination |
UNC School of Dentistry Study Finds Dental Bib Chain Contamination |
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