Waterline biofilm and the dental treatment facility: a review.
Biofilms are well-organized communities of cooperating microorganisms that can include bacteria, protozoa, diatoms, and fungi. Surveys of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) indicate that biofilm formation is a universal problem and that environmental and human-derived opportunistic pathogens can be cultured consistently from biofilms retrieved from DUWLs and other dental devices. Although the health risks presented by waterline bacterial colonization have yet to be adequately addressed, professional and ethical considerations indicate that steps should be taken to improve the quality of DUWLs. To address these concerns, the Council on Scientific Affairs of the ADA recently published a list of products cleared by the FDA to control dental waterline contamination. The goal of this article is to increase the awareness of potential health risks posed by biofilm formation and provide information on techniques and devices designed to control the microbial contamination of DUWLs.
Pederson
Ernest D
ED
Applied Laboratory Science Department, Naval Dental Research Institute, Great Lakes, IL, USA.
Stone
Mark E
ME
Ragain
James C
JC
Simecek
John W
JW
D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment / Q000382:microbiology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004203:Disinfection; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
D004202:Disinfectants