ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Nosocomial infections are caused by the retrograde spread of viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens from the hospital environment to the patients. Despite the efforts to avoid cross-infection in the dental office using sterilized instruments, individual protection equipment, and disinfection procedures, there is an increased risk of cross-infection through dental units, since one dental chair is used to treat many patients. Materials and methods: Seven strains of micro-organisms- Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, E. coli, and Legionella were taken. Neem extract, Aloe Vera Juice, and 0.2% chlorhexidine were tested against all these organisms. Sterile discs were incorporated with an equal amount of prepared formulations using a micropipette. Then these discs were placed equidistant to each other following which these plates were incubated for 24 hours. Results: Zone of inhibition was higher in chlorhexidine 12mm, 22mm, 11mm, 8mm, 18mm, 12mm, 11mm, 14mm and 15 mm followed by neem extract 7mm, no inhibition, 10mm, 7mm, 11mm, 7mm, 11mm and 9 mm and no inhibition by Aloe Vera juice against Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus Aureus, Candida albicans, E.coli and Legionella respectively. Conclusion: Results from this study have shown that chlorhexidine was most effective against dental unit waterline pathogens followed by neem extract and least by Aloe Vera juice.