Comparative Evaluation of Disinfection of Dental Water Unit Line Using Neem Extract and Sodium Hypochlorite: An In vitro Study

Abstract

Background Dental Unit Water Lines DWU disinfection is important because of the risk of infection via aerosol to dental staff and patients particularly to those with comorbidities. Objectives To quantify microorganisms in dental water unit line prior to disinfection and to determine the effectiveness of Neem extract and Sodium hypochlorite in reducing the microbial count.Methods 50 mL of water samples were collected in sterile containers from the outlets of airwater syringe and high-speed hand piece of 20 dental chairs and the contamination of microorganisms in DWU total viable count were estimated. The samples were subjected to serial dilutions were inoculated onto R2A agar plates and the colony forming unitsmL were manually counted. The dental water unit lines were treated with either 5 Sodium hypochlorite or commercially available Neem extract after obtaining the baseline samples. Water samples were collected after 48 hours and were quantified again for total viable count. SPSS version 23 was used to analyse the data. Paired and unpaired ldquotrdquo tests were applied to analyse the data before and after the intervention.Results The difference between the two groups at baseline P gt0.05 was not statistically significant. In Group 1 Neem group the mean CFUmL at baseline was 128.70 and after the intervention it reduced to 51.90. In Group 2 Sodium hypochlorite group the mean CFUmL at baseline was 125.90 28.661 and after intervention it reduced to 0 both were found statistically significant P lt0.05.Conclusion Sodium hypochlorite was found to be significantly effective compared to Neem extract in disinfecting DUWL system.nbsp