Staphylococci from dental personnel.

Thirty dental students and five professors were cultured in nares, throat, and hands for the presence of staphylococci. Twenty-four students and two professors were colonized with staphylococci that were classified as S. aureus. Twelve students and one professor were colonized with staphylococci that produced enterotoxin. Care needs to be taken to avoid contaminating patients during dental examination, particularly during any type of surgery.