The challenge with dental unit waterlines Narrow tubing microbial colonization biofilm growth
Research shows that the extremely narrow design of waterline tubing promotes water stagnation and bacterial accumulation 1 Using an in-line water heater? If your water exceeds 20º C, you’re promoting even more microorganism growth 1 .
Documented diseases and ailments caused by opportunistic waterline bacteria:
Stages of biofilm development
Legionnaires’ disease Legionella pneumophila, Credit: Shutterstock
Pneumonia Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Credit: CDC / Janice Haney Carr
The biofilm problem Biofilm is a complex matrix of bacteria, fungi and algae bound together in a sticky gel of polysaccharides that forms a microcolony. The microcolony attaches to a surface, such as the interior of dental unit waterline tubing. Once colonies of microorganisms start surviving inside your waterlines, they begin to build a sticky matrix that creates visible biofilm, or “slime”. This sticky, slimy substance protects the biofilm community, allowing for further multiplication of microorganisms. When left untreated, or improperly maintained, the water flowing through these contaminated DUWLs can potentially harm your patients, your staff and ultimately your practice’s reputation.
Respiratory and soft tissue infections Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), Credit: OMICS International
Bacteria by the numbers
Discover the problem you may not realize you have.
• Untreated waterlines can reach up to 1,000,000 CFU/mL 1
• Microbial counts in newly installed dental waterlines can reach as high as 200,000 CFU/mL within 5 days 2
HuFriedyGroup.eu/ Dental-Unit-Waterlines
1 CDC MMWR: Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings - 2003 2 Barbeau J., Tanguay R., Faucher E., Avezard, C., Trudel L., Co^te L. and Pre’vost A.P. 1996. Multiparametric Analysis of Waterline Contamination in Dental Units. Amer Soc for Microbiology. 62,11:3954–3959
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