• Siriphun Kattapong B.N., M.Ed.
• Keskanya Subbalekha D.D.S., Ph.D., Diplomate Thai Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Wanpen Shinheng B.Sc.
• Ruchanee Ampornaramveth D.D.S., Ph.D.

Objective To study the reduction of airborne bacteria and fungi in oral surgery clinic after spraying
with chemical disinfectants

Materials and methods The study was performed in the area of 600 ft2 of Oral Surgery Clinic.
Samples of airborne bacteria and fungi were collected by placing 6 open culture plates for 20 minutes
in the evening at the end of working day. The chemical disinfectants were sprayed into the air of the
study area. The samples were collected again in the morning of the following day before starting any
work. The CFUs were counted after the samples were incubated for 24-48 hours at 37 degree Celsius.
The reduction of bacterial and fungal colony forming units (CFU) were compared among 4 disinfectants
including Umonium^®, Bactyl^®, Thai Herbal alcohol, 70% Ethanol and the control, in which no
disinfectant was sprayed. Data were statistically analyzed by 2-way MANOVA and 2-way ANOVA.

Results Means ± SD of bacterial reduction when no chemical disinfectant was used, after using
Umonium^®, Bactyl^®, Thai Herbal alcohol and 70% Ethanol were 12.25 ± 13.65, 8.25 ± 10.91, 11.25 ±
11.16, 18.75 ± 16.15, and 12.44 ± 11.77 CFU/600 ft2, respectively. Means ± SD of fungal reduction
were 1.25 ± 14.40, 2.63 ± 9.40, 6.25 ± 11.34, 10.25 ± 11.26, and 2.78 ± 8.14 CFU/600 ft2, respectively.
No statistically significant difference was observed among all groups.

Conclusion Spraying air disinfectants at the end of theworking day shows no significant reduction in
bacterial and fungal count in the air compared to the control group inwhich no chemical disinfectant
was used.

(CU Dent J. 2015;38:117-128)