Hydrogen Peroxide Effect on Bacteria Number of Ultrasonic Scaler Water

Objective: The good quality of ultrasonic scaler waterline is needed for reduced contamination risk in patient and dental healthcare. Waterline may contain high numbers of bacteria but it should not more than 500 CFU/ml.  Hydrogen peroxide 3% is one of desinfection material that can control bacteria in waterline due to its action as bactericidal. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of hydrogen peroxide 3% to the number of bacterial colonies in ultrasonic scaler waterline. Method: This was an experimental research with total population 26 dental units. Sample bacteria from each dental unit were taken twice. The first, before ultrasonic scaler waterline were treated with hydrogen peroxide 3%. Second, after ultrasonic scaler waterline treated by run off 3% hydrogen peroxide in ultrasonic scaler waterline and leave it for 15 minutes then the waterline is drained and rinsed to clean the disinfection material residue. After that the sample was taken and placed in a sterile vial that had been prepared. Each sample diluted to obtain 10^-3 dilution and mixed with media nutrient agar. Samples were incubated for 24 hour at 37^oC temperature and then the number of bacterial colonies is counted. Data processed by the Wilcoxon test after homogeneity and normality test were done. Result: Average rate bacterial colony from ultrasonic scaler waterline before treated is 2.92 x 10⁴ CFU/ml and after treated is 1038 CFU/ml. Wilcoxon test showed decreasing of bacterial colony in ultrasonic scaler waterline before and after treatment is significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hydrogen peroxide with 3 % concentration was able to decrease the number of bacterial colonies in the water of the ultrasonic scaler significantly.