The
Oral Microbiology Laboratory (OML) located at the UNC School of Dentistry
provides diagnostic clinical microbiology, microbiological research, microbiology
training and sterilization monitoring services to both the School of Dentistry
and the community of dental practitioners in the state of North Carolina
and surrounding geographic area. These services are specifically related
to oral microbiology and its application to the following: recognition
and assessment of oral bacterial populations in oral flora studies, post
treatment of oral infection, bacterial test for caries risk, and the monitoring
of sterilization equipment unique to the dental practice. Sterilization
monitoring services are also provided for a number of non-dental clients.
In addition to these services this unit has been responsible for monitoring
the water quality in the School of Dentistry's dental unit water lines
for bacterial contamination. OML is presently in the process of developing
protocols to extend this service to the dental community. For more information
on sterilization see Sterilization Monitoring Service.
The OML at the UNC-CH School of Dentistry provides:
- Clinical diagnostic services (CDS) to both the university and regional dental practitioners.
- Sterilization monitoring services (SMS) to the practicing dentists in the region.
- Analytical services to research programs of academic and corporate sectors.
- Elective courses to dental students in oral microbiology.
- Monitoring of dental unit water lines for the school.
- Quarterly newsletter on microbiology concerns and issues for service subscribers.
The
OML has a technical, scientific & administrative staff of six personnel
to perform the above services. The CDS handles over 1,000 patient samples
per annum, and the SMS handles about 900 subscribers per annum, with daily
analyses of 160 SMS samples/day.
The Oral Microbiology Laboratory (OML) accepts oral bacteriological specimens
(plaque, surgical, aspirates and saliva) from the clinical departments
and from the faculty practice of the school, as well as, from private
practitioners in the community for the culture, identification and quantitation
of oral pathogens. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures are prepared using selective
media to facilitate the isolation of potential pathogens from normal flora.
Specific pathogens associated with various forms of periodontal disease
are identified and antibiotic sensitivities and b-lactamase production
are determined to assist the clinician in appropriate interventive strategies.
All isolates from surgical, wound and lesion cultures are treated as potential
pathogens and identified to the species level.
- CDS provides a full service culturing facility with 20 years of service providing quality diagnostic culturing to both the private and academic dental practice.
- CDS's research and acquisition of new technologies and equipment ensures quality culturing of all samples.
- Periodontal samples are routinely screen for 16 microorganisms related to periodontal diseases.
- Surgical specimens are screened for all potential pathogens.
- Surgical and periodontal pathogens receive beta lactamase and antibiotic susceptibility testing.
- Caries activity testing provides and at risk screening for developing caries lesion
Price Listing:
Culture/with susceptibility testing $ 125.00
Follow-up Cultures/without susceptibility testing 80.00
Caries Activity Testing 20.00
Candida Culturing 15.00
Culturing inquires please contact 919-966-7607 Email address: oralmicro@dentistry.unc.edu
Culturing
Inquiries Form
