The invisible risk

Winter is always a time when we see an increased prevalence of viruses throughout the general population and, like all other healthcare environments, dental practices need to be vigilant about limiting the potential for staff and patients to contract any of the common infections that are rife at this time of year.

A growing number of studies show that, thanks to the greasy touch screens of smartphones and dirty computer keyboards, modern technology is fast becoming a new source of potentially dangerous germs and viruses. It has been found that the average smartphone has on it around 25,000 bacteria per square inch, more than is commonly found on toilet seats, soles of shoes or pet food dishes, and the warmth generated by phone batteries makes a perfect breeding ground for pathogens. In addition, many people, especially children, cannot go anywhere without their phones, and this includes going to the toilet, where the potential for dangerous contamination becomes even higher. This unfortunate habit increases the opportunity for spreading disease via hand to hand and hand to surface contact. Combine this with the fact that cold and flu viruses carried on a person’s hands can be easily transferred to phones, tablets and keyboards and the potential for the spread of disease is multiplied exponentially. In the case of phones, the matter is made worse as they are held close to the face, especially the ears, nose and mouth, meaning it is just a short journey to infecting the body.