title: Disinfection and monitoring of dental unit waterlines.
abstract: Recent increased awareness of dental unit waterline contamination has prompted investigations into potential protocols for improvement in the quality of water delivered to patients. When the protocol was followed (n = 12), contamination levels were reduced to below measurable colony forming units (CFU) defined as < 1 CFU/mL within three weeks and maintained thereafter. When adherence to the protocol was not strictly followed after initial disinfection, contamination quickly returned and remained until additional disinfection was performed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, USC School of Dentistry, Los Angeles 90089-0641, USA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Detsch
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D004203:Disinfection; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite