title: Dental unit waterline contamination: a review of research and findings from a clinic setting.
abstract: The interior of small-diameter tubing in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) creates an attractive environment for the growth of biofilm and bacteria. Substantial research shows that troublesome and potentially pathogenic bacteria have been found in DUWLs, and scant peer-reviewed information from which to evaluate chemical treatment options has been historically available. The authors' research compares three DUWL cleaners-an alkaline peroxide product, a freshly mixed chlorine dioxide product, and a buffer-stabilized chlorine dioxide product-in 16 dental units with self-contained water systems over a 10-day working period to determine the optimal chemical treatment option. The study found chlorine dioxide waterline cleaners to be most effective in containing DUWL contaminations.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Professor, Emeritus, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Division of Periodontology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: M Robert
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wirthlin
authors.affiliation: Managing Partner, PGx Consulting, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Mollie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D017606:Chlorine Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000494:pharmacology; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D013499:Surface Properties; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010087:Oxides; C440248:Sterilex Ultra; C025109:chlorine dioxide