Contamination of Dental Unit Water and Air Outlets Following Use of Clean Head System and Conventional Handpieces

Toomarian, Lida; Rikhtegaran, Sahand; Sadighi, Mehrnoosh; Oskoee, Siavash Savadi; Oskoee, Parnian Alizadeh

doi:10.5681/joddd.2007.007

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 3 publications

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“…Procedures and Systems for Water Quality Control in the Handpieces and the Dental Unit Bacteria populations can be spread during ongoing dental procedures when dentists are using high-speed handpieces [57][58][59][60] and come into direct contact with the wounds of the patient undergoing treatment [61]. There is a risk of water backflow into the dental unit waterline system from the handpieces known under the term of the suck-back phenomenon [62].…”

Section: Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Water Quality and Sustainability in Dental Practices in Greece

Antoniadou,

Intzes,

Kladouchas

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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Good water quality, achieved with environmentally friendly means, is essential in ensuring the safe operation of a dental practice. Our aim was to evaluate procedures and protocols used by dentists for water quality and sustainability. Greek dentists (n = 206) participated in this questionnaire-based study. Statistically significant results (p < 0.05) have shown that (a) female dentists were more interested in additional information about water quality (87.5% vs. 71.8%), had water supply directly from the public network to the dental unit (68.8% vs. 73.8%), were more likely to disinfect surfaces between two appointments (97.7% vs. 88.0%) and were more likely to perform annual maintenance to the dental unit (66.3% vs. 57.9%). (b) More experienced dentists were also more likely to clean the waterline network of the unit with a large amount of fluid once a day (39.3–48.3%), had newer equipment, had more handpieces, and spent more time cleaning and disinfecting the unit (χ2 = 26.21). (c) Dentists who have studied abroad were more likely to perform less strict antiseptic protocols while believing that their practices are environmentally friendly (χ2 = 10.93). Dentists with some postgraduate education were more likely to have an assistant, know the active substance of the antiseptic, supply antiseptic to the handpieces automatically and maintain the dental unit annually (χ2 = 7.24). (d) Dentists who practiced general dentistry were less likely to have an assistant and performed less strict protocols while they cleaned suctions with a large amount of fluid less often (χ2 = 11.64). Dentists who practiced in a clinic (with employees) were more likely to have newer equipment, have an assistant and perform stricter water sustainability protocols. (e) Dentists with a higher annual income were also more likely to have an assistant, perform microbiological tests for the quality of the water of the unit, have a continuous water supply system and perform stricter protocols for water quality of the unit. Overall, less experienced (and younger) dentists are more informed about water quality legislation (27.6%) compared to more experienced and older dentists (13.2–17.5%). Gender, work experience, level of education and dental office characteristics are important factors determining water sustainability, waterlines, and equipment maintenance in dental practice. Dental associations should raise awareness regarding water quality and sustainability, investing in lifelong learning, while implementing protocols and green strategies.

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Section: Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Water Quality and Sustainability in Dental Practices in Greece

Antoniadou,

Intzes,

Kladouchas

et al. 2023

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Estimation and Factors Affecting Water Quality and Sustainability in the Private Dental Sector in Greece

Antoniadou,

Intzes,

Kladouchas

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Dental healthcare providers, staff and patients are constantly exposed to the risk of infection or cross-infection in the dental office, particularly due to the formation of biofilms within Dental Unit Waterlines (DUWLs). Good water quality, achieved with environmentally friendly means, is essential in ensuring the safe operation of the clinic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the practices and protocols used in dental offices of Metropolitan Athens in Greece with regards to water quality in DUWLs. The questionnaire about water quality was distributed to dental practitioners in 2022 and was completed by 206 dentists. Water supplied to dental units was mainly from the public network (65.0%), with 55.8% using in-office filtration. Most dentists (71.8%) do not know the active substance of the antiseptic used for the DUWLs, while 96.1% reported having an antiseptic reservoir embedded in the dental unit. Daily flushing with a small and a large amount of fluid was practiced in approximately 83% and 61% of dental offices, respectively. Dental associations should raise awareness regarding water quality and maintenance of DUWLs in dental offices, investing in lifelong learning, while implementing protocols and green strategies.

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Water Contamination Risks at the Dental Clinic

Cicciù

2020

Biology

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Dental clinics, furnished with an array of specialized equipment, are commonplace, particularly in industrialized countries. Minimizing the risk of infection at the dental practice requires the formulation and implementation of strict protocols. These protocols must address the real risk posed by water contamination, particularly given that water is both integral to the function of some dental equipment, and is typically administered directly to the patient. The water in the dental clinic may be of local origin or from a water main, this can be problematic since the clinician often has little assurance regarding the quality of water reaching the dental chair. Though most modern dental equipment includes self-sterilization protocols, care must be taken that water does not stagnate anywhere in the dental equipment or clinic. The management of water quality at the dental clinic is an important part of respecting the protocols needed to manage the risk of patient infections.

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Contamination of Dental Unit Water and Air Outlets Following Use of Clean Head System and Conventional Handpieces

Cited by 3 publications

References 3 publications

Factors Affecting Water Quality and Sustainability in Dental Practices in Greece

Factors Affecting Water Quality and Sustainability in Dental Practices in Greece

Estimation and Factors Affecting Water Quality and Sustainability in the Private Dental Sector in Greece

Water Contamination Risks at the Dental Clinic

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