Unexpected threats of antibiotic resistance in dental practice
by Iryna Mazur
DDS, PhD
Abstract
Microbial biofilms are associated with many pathological processes, such as in the oral ecosystem. It was shown that some of the oral biofilms are associated with the deposition of extracellular DNA, or eDNA, which might be a source of genes of antibiotic resistance and a niche where these genes can transform and recombinant the oral flora. As such, realization of dental manipulations aimed at removing oral biofilms can lead to contamination of a dental office and is a potential risk for medical personnel and patients. Micro-droplets of microbial aerosol during ultrasonication can persist in a room environment and spread the genes of resistance. This can raise the question of new approaches for manipulations with oral biofilms for safer dental practice.