Decontamination of dental equipment. A validation of three devices designed for cleaning, disinfecting, and lubricating of dental high-speed turbines and handpieces.
This study deals with the decontamination of dental turbines and handpieces (DTH) aiming at eliminating the cross-infection risk in dental practice. Three types of equipment designed for cleaning/lubricating DTH were validated. The effect of the three devices was determined for four different types of DTH, which were artificially contaminated with Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 13419 in a controlled manner. Sampling was carried out by collecting one ml water flushed through the DTH connected to a dental unit. The study resulted in a model for testing the decontamination potential of a cleaning/lubrication device for DTH. One of the devices could not reduce the contamination, while two others were able to reduce the bioburden with at least 3.9 logarithmic steps. However none of the devices tested could constantly eliminate the contamination, for which reason an additional heat treatment of the DTH is recommended.
Andersen
H K
HK
National Center for Hospital Hygiene, Statens Serumistitut, Denmark.
Frost
L
L
Hansen
D B
DB
Fiehn
N E
NE
D000438:Alcohols; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000592:standards*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008153:Lubrication; D012307:Risk Factors
D000438:Alcohols