Protetor Facial no Atendimento Odontológico: Potenciais focos de contaminação microbiológica

Túlio Silva Rosa, Iêda Bispo Fonseca, Mariana Fernandes de Sousa, Ana Cristina Alves da Silva, Alan Alves Machado, Fernanda Fresneda Villibor, Ana Lúcia Roselino Ribeiro.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the presence of dirt and microbiological contamination on face shields (PF) reused in a school clinic after disinfection with 70% alcohol. Methodology: Ten PFs were inspected visually for dirt. For microbiological analysis, samples were collected using swabs from five standardized regions: lower (A), central (B), upper (C), right loop (D), and left loop (E). The samples were initially inoculated into Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth and incubated at room temperature for 48 hours. Once turbidity was observed, 100 µL aliquots were plated onto nutrient agar and incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. The resulting colonies were subjected to Gram staining and microscopic examination to identify bacterial morphologies and arrangements. Results: Dirt was observed in 46% of the evaluated areas on the PFs. All regions analyzed showed microbiological contamination (100%), predominantly cocci and bacilli. Conclusion: Disinfection of face shields with 70% alcohol was insufficient to ensure effective decontamination, rendering them unsuitable for safe reuse.