Transmissibility of Oral Bacteria: Are We Sharing Too Much?
Poster Number
37
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Deborah Horlak
Faculty Mentor Department
Dental Hygiene
Additional Faculty Mentor Name
Marlene Storz
Abstract/Artist Statement
The purpose of this study was to determine if oral bacteria adheres to a used tube of toothpaste after four days of use compared to an unused tube of toothpaste. Our hypothesis was that if oral bacteria adheres to the used tube of toothpaste and not the unused tube of toothpaste then it is possible that the bacteria can be transmitted onto any toothbrush sharing the same tube of toothpaste. Our null hypothesis is that oral bacteria does not adhere to a tube of toothpaste after four days of use and therefore does not promote transmission of bacteria from one toothbrush to another. Forty-three students, faculty, and staff from the Pacific Dental Care Clinic at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in Stockton California participated in this study. Phase I of research each participant had their ATP tested to determine the level of actively growing bacteria in their mouth prior to experiment. Participants were given a bag of items including: one manual soft bristle toothbrush, and two tubes of toothpaste (one control and one test). They were asked to brush their teeth both morning and night for four days using the provided test tube of toothpaste. Half of the participants were asked to keep their items in the bag provided while not in use and half of them were asked to keep them in some place other than the bag provided. Phase II of research will be conducted after the four day period concludes. Both the control and test tubes of toothpaste will be cultured on blood agar plates, incubated, and then bacterial colonies will be counted to determine the level of bacteria remaining on each tube of toothpaste.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
25-4-2015 2:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2015 4:00 PM
Transmissibility of Oral Bacteria: Are We Sharing Too Much?
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
The purpose of this study was to determine if oral bacteria adheres to a used tube of toothpaste after four days of use compared to an unused tube of toothpaste. Our hypothesis was that if oral bacteria adheres to the used tube of toothpaste and not the unused tube of toothpaste then it is possible that the bacteria can be transmitted onto any toothbrush sharing the same tube of toothpaste. Our null hypothesis is that oral bacteria does not adhere to a tube of toothpaste after four days of use and therefore does not promote transmission of bacteria from one toothbrush to another. Forty-three students, faculty, and staff from the Pacific Dental Care Clinic at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in Stockton California participated in this study. Phase I of research each participant had their ATP tested to determine the level of actively growing bacteria in their mouth prior to experiment. Participants were given a bag of items including: one manual soft bristle toothbrush, and two tubes of toothpaste (one control and one test). They were asked to brush their teeth both morning and night for four days using the provided test tube of toothpaste. Half of the participants were asked to keep their items in the bag provided while not in use and half of them were asked to keep them in some place other than the bag provided. Phase II of research will be conducted after the four day period concludes. Both the control and test tubes of toothpaste will be cultured on blood agar plates, incubated, and then bacterial colonies will be counted to determine the level of bacteria remaining on each tube of toothpaste.