Environmental contamination before, during, and after dental treatment.

Purpose: To verify environmental contamination by collecting microorganisms from dental equipment surfaces before, during and after clinical procedures.

Methods: Sterile swabs were used to collect the samples from dental-chair push buttons, 3-in-1 syringes, X-ray tubes, computer keys, doorknobs, and light handles before (P1), during (P2) and after (P3) clinical procedures, in the undergraduate clinic of the Dental School of Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Brazil. These samples were spread on BHI agar and incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 hours.