Evaluation of the efficacy of Alpron disinfectant for dental unit water lines.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of a disinfectant, Alpron, for controlling microbial contamination within dental unit water lines.


METHODS
The microbiological quality of water emerging from the triple syringe, high speed handpiece, cup filler and surgery hand wash basin from six dental units was assessed for microbiological total viable counts at 22 degrees C and 37 degrees C before and after treatment with Alpron solutions.


RESULTS
The study found that the use of Alpron disinfectant solutions could reduce microbial counts in dental unit water lines to similar levels for drinking water. This effect was maintained in all units for up to six weeks following one course of treatment. In four out of six units the low microbial counts were maintained for 13 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Disinfectants may have a short term role to play in controlling microbial contamination of dental unit water lines to drinking water quality. However, in the longer term attention must be paid to redesigning dental units to discourage the build up of microbial biofilms.
Smith
A J
AJ
Infection Research Group, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School. a.smith@dental.gla.ac.uk
McHugh
S
S
Aitken
I
I
Hood
J
J
D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003748:Dental Equipment; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D016014:Linear Models; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014871:Water Microbiology
C472596:Alpron; D000588:Amines; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite