What’s Stinking Up Your Operatory?
If you don’t clean your dental unit waterlines, microorganisms grow into slimy bacterial colonies and attach to waterline tubing, causing foul odors and taste, and leading to equipment corrosion. To give you an idea of the amount of bacteria in your waterlines, the CDC guidelines explain that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the standard for safe drinking water quality at no more than 500 CFU/mL of heterotrophic bacteria. As a result, low numbers of waterborne microorganisms (≤ 500 CFU/mL) are present in the municipal water entering dental offices or our homes. However, because of the complex design of dental units, the water exiting the unit through dental handpieces, air/water syringes and ultrasonic scalers may contain more than 100,000 CFU/mL if not treated.
Research has shown that microbial counts can reach as high as 200,000 CFU/mL within five days after installation of new waterlines and levels of microbial contamination as high as 106 CFU/mL have been documented. Although the scientific evidence indicates there is little risk of health problems due to contact with water from a dental unit, exposing patients or dental personnel to water of uncertain microbiological quality is inconsistent with generally accepted infection control principles. To prevent and control microorganism growth, you must follow a dental unit waterline cleaning protocol. It’s not about treating the water. If you do not clean the actual waterline tubing or bottle interior to eliminate the bacterial colonies, then your lines are not clean. ‘Clean’ water does not clean or control microbial contamination in dental unit waterlines.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
HAYES will train your office on waterline maintenance
Call your local HAYES office to schedule your training today!
Treat Your Waterlines!
*Remove microbial contamination from waterlines and bottles
*Protect staff, patients, and handpieces!
*Ask Hayes about these state-of-the-art waterline cleaning options:
• Dentapure Waterline
Cartridge
• Mint-A-Kleen Solution
• Sterisil Straw
We can work with your staff to figure out an efficient, practical and cost-effective solution for your practice. And we’ll instruct you on installation and maintenance procedures.