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Citation
Tags
HERO ID
2588094
Reference Type
Journal Article
Subtype
Review
Title
Dental unit waterlines: source of contamination and cross-infection
Author(s)
Kumar, S; Atray, D; Paiwal, D; Balasubramanyam, G; Duraiswamy, P; Kulkarni, S
Year
2010
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Journal of Hospital Infection
ISSN:
0195-6701
Volume
74
Issue
2
Page Numbers
99-111
Language
English
PMID
20113847
DOI
10.1016/j.jhin.2009.03.027
Web of Science Id
WOS:000275591300001
Relationship(s)
has retraction
4819541
(Retraction of vol 74, pg 99, 2010)
Abstract
Dental chair units (DCUs) are used in the treatment of many patients throughout each day and microbial contamination of specific component parts is an important potential source of cross-infection. The quality of dental unit water is of considerable importance since patients and dental staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated from the dental unit. This water hosts a diverse microflora of bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, protozoa, unicellular algae and nematodes which may be contaminated with micro-organisms found in the biofilm formed due to water stagnation in the narrow-bore dental unit waterline (DUWL) tubings. The water thus contaminated, when used for various treatment procedures through dental handpieces, air/water/three-in-one syringe, etc., produces aerosols that can cause infection. The present review emphasises the risks of infection from DUWL and various water treatment procedures available to disinfect the DUWLs.
Keywords
Dental unit waterlines; Dentist; Disinfection; Infection; Microbial contamination; Patient
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