Download Dental Unit Waterlines: Dental Unit Water Line Fact Sheet The oral

Dental Unit Waterlines: Dental Unit Water Line Fact Sheet
The oral health professions have traditionally assumed responsibility for assessing and improving
the quality of healthcare provided to patients. For example, today oral health workers routinely
wear disposable gloves masks, protective garments, and eyewear, and sterilize instruments - all
generally initiated since baby boomers first started visiting the dental offices.
Similarly, oral health staff members throughout the country should be familiar with the issue of
dental unit waterline contamination and be prepared to discuss the issue with their patients.
Following is the "What , Where , When , Why and How"
What - Dental unit waterline contamination consists of slime-producing bacteria, fungi and
protozoans. These microorganisms colonize and replicate on the interior surfaces of waterline
tubing, inevitably resulting in adherent heterogeneous microbial accumulations termed "biofilms."
Where - Microbial biofilms are ubiquitous in nature and can be found virtually anywhere there is
moisture and a suitable solid substrate for attachment. In dentistry, biofilms form on the walls of
small-bore plastic tubing in dental units which deliver coolant water for high-speed dental handpieces, air-water syringes, and ultrasonic scalers.
When - Water coming into buildings from city water supplies or wells is not sterile and contains a
number of waterborne bacteria and trace amounts of nutrients that may support the growth of
bacteria. Inevitably, some bacteria attach to, and accumulate on, the inside of the lines forming a
biofilm. Once formed, biofilms serve as a reservoir significantly amplifying the numbers of freefloating microorganisms in the water exiting the waterlines.
Why - The biofilm "issue" is important to understand. The presence in dental unit waterlines of
clinically proven human pathogens including Pseudomonas, Legionella, and nontuberculosis
Mycobacterium species supports the dental industry's objective of improving water quality. This
objective specifies the development and validation of standard protocols for the maintenance and
monitoring of water delivered to patients during nonsurgical dental procedures equivalent to an
existing quality assurance standard utilized in hemodialysis units.
How - The American Dental Association (ADA) has published a statement on dental unit
waterlines that challenges the industry to produce systems that can reduce the level of bacteria used
in dental treatment water to 200CFU/ml or fewer by the year 2000. There are several commercially
available options for improving dental unit water quality including independent water reservoirs,
chemical treatment regimens, daily draining and air purging regimens, and point of use filters.
Preliminary data suggest that some combination of these strategies will be necessary to control
biofilm formation and achieve the desired level of water quality. To date, however, there are
insufficient data to establish the effectiveness of all available methods as used in the dental office.
It is important to ensure that any sterile water system or device marketed to improve dental water
quality has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance. Research is currently
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underway to validate other proposed water treatment methods and water quality monitoring
indicators.
In the interim, there are many steps oral health practitioners can take to improve the quality of
dental unit water. However, please note that practitioners should always consult with manufacturer
of their dental units before initiating any waterline treatment protocol.
1. Follow current OSAP, ADA, and CDC recommendations to flush lines for several minutes each
morning. Flush handpieces with air/water for 20 to 30 seconds between patient appointments.
Installing sterilized handpieces and sterile or disposable syringe tips after flushing will reduce
cross-contamination.
2. Always obtain and follow the dental unit manufacturer's recommendations for treating dental
unit waterlines. Implementing protocols not recommended by the unit manufacturer could cause
equipment damage and void warranties.
3. If recommended by the dental unit manufacturer, install and maintain antiretraction valves to
prevent oral fluids from being drawn into dental waterlines.
4. Avoid heating dental unit water. While it was common to heat water to increase patient comfort,
warming the water may amplify biofilm formation and select organisms pre-adapted to growth in a
human host.
5. Consider using a separate water reservoir system to eliminate the inflow of municipal water into
the dental unit. In addition to having better control over the quality of the source water used in
patient care, it would eliminate interruptions in dental care when "boil-water" notices are issued by
local health authorities. Contact the manufacturer of the dental unit for a compatible system and
treatment protocols before undertaking this step.
6. Use sterile solutions for all surgical irrigations. Additionally, ensure that only heatsterilized/sterile-disposable bulb syringes or sterile water delivery devices are employed to deliver
the sterile water.
7. Educate and train oral healthcare workers on effective treatment measures to ensure compliance
and minimize risks to equipment and personnel.
8. Monitor scientific and technological developments in this area to identify improved technical
approaches as they become available.
9. Cooperate with the oral healthcare industry to develop and validate standard protocols for
maintaining and monitoring dental unit waterlines.
10. Because insufficient data currently exist to establish the effectiveness of all available methods
as used in the dental office, it is important to ensure that any sterile water system or device
marketed to improve dental water quality has been cleared for market by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
11. Some mention should be made about staff compliance with whatever treatment approach is
chosen by the practice. Their input as to the choice and maintenance is crucial for any success
achieved.
Staff compliance with whatever water treatment approach is chosen by the dental practice is very
important. Staff input as to the choice and maintenance is crucial for any success achieved.
Staff also may consider utilizing a "Message to Patients."
This fact sheet is presented to you by the American Dental Hygienist's Association and the
Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP). It was prepared with the assistance of
OSAP Editorial Team members Nancy Andrews, RDH; Mary Govoni, CDA,RDH; Therese Long;
Chris Miller, PhD; John Molinari, PhD, John Tullner, DDS; Phil Westover; and Jeff Williams,
PhD, MRCVS. (Revised 11-2015)