Studies on cross-contamination in the dental clinic.

The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of cross-contamination of potential pathogens currently occurring in the dental hygiene clinic at the Ohio State University. Results of this investigation show that there is a significant amount of cross-contamination in the clinic. Potentially pathogenic organisms were transferred from the patients' mouths to the fingers of the dental hygiene students, and then to the switches on the dental chair unit and to the handles of the sink. Use of 5% iodophor in 70% isopropyl alcohol was effective in sterilizing certain fomes in the dental operatory.