Comparison of Chlorhexidine and Hydrogen Peroxide as Preprocedural Mouthrinse during Ultrasonic Scaling: A Triple-Blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Every year, around 2 million people suffer from hospital-acquired infections worldwide. Aerosols are produced while performing ultrasonic scaling. They are potential source of infection and cross contamination. It can result in spread of several infections including hepatitis, HIV, SARS CoV 2, etc. Preprocedural rinse before scaling is considered an effective measure to reduce the microbial load in aerosols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial performed on 90 participants diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. Random allocation of participants into three groups, i.e., Group-1, Group-2, and Group-3, was done, wherein 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX), 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP), and distilled water (DW) were used, respectively, as preprocedural mouthrinse. The participants of each group were instructed to perform mouthrinse for 60 s before the start of ultrasonic scaling sessions. Blood agar plates were kept at three locations, i.e., operator's chest area, patient's chest area, and assistant's chest area for aerosol collection after scaling. Colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted for microbiological analysis. RESULTS: Least number of CFUs was found in the CHX group, followed by HP and DW groups. Location wise, the patient's chest area had the highest CFU count and the least was at the assistant's chest area. CFU count between the groups was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Preprocedural rinse using HP can effectively be used as a method to reduce dental aerosols generated during ultrasonic scaling.