BEDROOM OR BATHROOM: TOOTHBRUSH CONTAMINATION

Objectives: To establish the factors associated with toothbrush contamination in patients attending Wits Oral Health Centre (WOHC).
Methods: One-hundred patients were recruited from the Wits Oral Hygiene department randomly in this cross-sectional study. Toothbrushes were collected to for analysis of microorganisms present before and after disinfection of toothbrushes, using standard microbiological methods. Patients completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic data; use and storage of toothbrushes. Data was analysed Stata Version 13.1.
Results: More than half (57%) of the patients were females, mean age was 39.6 years (SD= 17.6, range 11-74). Majority (88%) reported having running water and there were three people per household. More than half were healthy (54%) and a third (36%) reported some medical history. Thirty-eight percent used one toothbrush for more than six months. Fifty-seven percent reported keeping their brushes in the bathroom compared to 19% in the bedroom. Sixty six percent did not store them in container while 77% did not disinfect their toothbrushes. Those that stored their toothbrushes in the bathroom were more likely to have colonisation by coliforms at 7% significance level (p=0.07). Those that disinfected (11%; p=0.00) their toothbrushes; used antibiotics two months prior to the study (35%; p=0.05) were more likely to have reduced Staphylococcus aureus colonisation. In addition, those that reported use of antibiotics two months prior (35%) had reduced Pseudomonas colonisation (p=0.04).
Conclusions: Storing toothbrushes in a bathroom uncovered may increase coliform colonisation. Home disinfection of toothbrushes and antibiotic use may be protective against colonisation of toothbrushes by coliforms and Pseudomonas.