Investigation of Contamination on Dental Surgical Goggles and Protective Spectacles by ATP Measuring Method

Contamination of dental surgical goggles and protective spectacles was investigated using a measuring method to detect adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mean concentration was 11 RLU (Relative Light Unit) at the beginning of the working day, but had increased to 11,638 RLU after 1 hour (t test: p<0.05). Mean concentration on the lecture measured for comparison was 46 RLU (p<0.05). Moreover, contamination of the back of the lens section of protective spectacles was 7 RLU at the beginning of the working day, but had increased to 306 RLU after 1 hour. The cleanliness factor was nearly worse than the back of the lens of dental surgical goggles (p<0.05). Choice of optic protection against transmission of infection should consider that spectacles do not offer complete protection, so dentists should wear dental surgical goggles to perform dentistry examinations. Contamination investigation using a measuring method which evaluates ATP is both simple and quick, so can be used effectively as an index of environmental contamination in a dental clinic.