<![CDATA[Background: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining involves occupational and environmental exposures that may be associated with oral health conditions. However, information on culturable bacterial colony counts obtained from Carious cavities among artisanal gold miners compared with non-miners remains limited. Purpose: This study aimed to compare culturable bacterial colony counts obtained from dental caries swab samples between artisanal gold miners and non-miners with dental caries. Methods: This comparative observational study used a cross-sectional approach. A total of 30 carious cavity swabs were collected from artisanal gold miners and non-miners. Samples were serially diluted up to 10⁻¹⁰ and inoculated on blood agar. Total viable bacterial count was determined using the Total Plate Count (TPC) method and expressed as CFU/mL. Presumptive identification was performed using Gram staining and catalase test. Results: Of 30 samples, 18 met the countable criteria (30–300 colonies), consisting of 11 samples from artisanal gold miners and 7 from non-miners. The miner group showed higher total viable count compared to non-miner group. Independent t-test showed p = 0.605 (p > 0.05), indicating no statistically significant difference in total viable bacterial count from carious cavities. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in total viable bacterial count from carious cavities between groups. Mercury exposure may affect oral microbiota composition rather than total quantity.]]>
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