• Consult with the dental unit manufac-
turer for appropriate methods and
equipment to maintain the recom-
mended quality of dental water.
• Follow recommendations for monitor-
ing water quality provided by the manu-
facturer of the unit or waterline
treatment product.
• Discharge water and air for a minimum
of 20–30 seconds after each patient,
from any device connected to the dental
water system that enters the patient’s
mouth (e.g., handpieces, ultrasonic
scalers, and air/water syringes).
• Consult with the dental unit manufac-
turer on the need for periodic mainte-
nance of anti-retraction mechanisms.
Dental unit waterline treatment options
include self-contained water systems
combined with chemical treatments,
point-of-use filters, and systems
designed for single chair or entire prac-
tice waterlines such slow-release car-
tridges. When choosing a dental unit
waterline treatment system that is right
for your practice, carefully evaluate the
reliability and effectiveness of the prod-
uct to keep microorganisms and biofilm
at the required standards. Also, consider
the cost, ease of use and labor needed to
follow the required protocols and proce-
dures that come along with the different
options for dental unit water treatment.
Regardless of what and how you choose
to manage the dental unit waterlines in
your office, it is critical that you carefully
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for use and that you routinely test your
waterlines for the colony forming unit
(CFU) count. For non-surgical dental
procedures, the count should not exceed
500 CFU/mL of water.
Rocha V, Lozano C. Orange County children’s den-
tal clinic closed after bacteria found in new water
system. Los Angeles Times. December 17, 2016.
Barbeau J, Tanguay R, Faucher E, et al. Multipara-
metric analysis of waterline contamination in dental
units. Appl Environ Microbiol 1996; 62: 3954–9.
Blake GC. The incidence and control of bacterial
infection of dental units and ultrasonic scalers. Br
Med J. 1963; 115: 413-416
Santiago JI. Microbial contamination of dental unit
waterlines: short and long-term effects of flushing.
Gen Dent 1994;42:528–35
Molinari JA, Nelson P. The Need for Compliance in
Waterline Maintenance. 2015 Dental Advisor
http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/pdf/r
ecommendations-excerpt.pdf
Ilene A. Russo
Product Manager, Waterlines
Crosstex International, a Cantel Medical Company
Ilene has over 27 plus years of marketing and product man-
agement experience – with 17 in the pharmaceutical and
healthcare industries. Since joining Crosstex in 2016, her focus
has been to ensure that clinicians understand the critical need
for proper dental waterline maintenance and the impact that
untreated or improperly treated procedural water can have on
patients, staff and the overall practice.
Dwight Shreve
South Central Region Territory Manager
Dwight joined Crosstex in 2018 and has been in Dental for over
3 years. He manages the South Central Territory for Crosstex.
Dwight has a BBA in Accounting from Sam Houston State Uni-
versity and currently resides on Lake Conroe just north of
Houston, TX. Dwight Shreve can be reached by email at
[email protected]
Effective dental unit waterline mainte-
nance is a key part of infection control
within the dental practice and one that
benefits the patient, the healthcare
provider and the overall practice.
Peralta G, Tobin-D’Angelo M, Parham A, et
al. Mycobacterium abscessus infections among
patients of a pediatric dentistry practice — Georgia,
2015. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016;65:355–356.
www.houstondentistrymagazine.com
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