Evaluation of the barrier system, an infection control system for the dental laboratory.

An experimental system of laboratory infection control was tested, using 76 dentures from 40 volunteer patients. The dentures were cleansed on entering and again on leaving the laboratory. To evaluate the effectiveness of disinfection, the dentures were cultured as they were received from the patient, after the first cleansing, after polishing, and after the second cleansing. The disinfection of the prostheses involved scrubbing them with Hibiclens skin cleanser, rinsing, disinfection in one of three disinfectants (1:16 Sporicidin solution, full-strength Sporicidin solution, and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite [undiluted Clorox]), and finally rinsing. Full-strength Sporicidin solution was significantly more effective than diluted Sporicidin solution, but no statistically significant difference was found between full-strength Sporicidin solution and sodium hypochlorite, or between sodium hypochlorite and 1:16 Sporicidin solution. All three solutions were effective in reducing or eliminating culturable aerobic bacteria.