INTRODUCTION Fine aerosolised droplets and splatter generated during dental procedures influences the composition of the indoor air quality of dental care facilities and poses a potential threat to the workers' health. Therefore there is a need to assess the risks from exposure to bioaerosols and splatter and identify measures of reducing possible hazards. METHODOLOGY A review of the literatu...

REFERENCES 1. Council Directive 80/778/EEC [European Economic Community] concerning the quality of drinking water intended for human consumption. July 15,1980. 2. Martin MV. The significance of the bacterial contamination of dental unit water systems. Br Dent J 1987;163:152-154. 3. Williams JF, Huntington MK, Johnston AM. Dental waterlines. A source of contamination. Infection Control and Steri...

BACKGROUND Microbiological contamination of water in dental unit waterlines (DUWL) creates a risk of cross-infections, and is a source of biological risk factors in the work environment of a dentist. The aim of the study was to evaluate dentists' knowledge on DUWL microbiological contamination and the scope of activities/procedures they undertake to monitor it. MATERIALS AND METHOD The questi...

The specific structure of dental units favours the presence of biofilm and microbial contamination of the dental unit waterlines (DUWL) water. The ability of bacteria to colonize surfaces and to form biofilm in water supply tubes, including DUWL, is a common phenomenon, which has been well documented, just as with difficulties in biofilm removal and prevention of its regrowth. Microorganisms fr...

Microorganisms that have been identified in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) are of concern because they can cause infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to assess the incidence of microbial contamination in DUWLs before and after intervention to reduce contamination, and to investigate the presence of coliforms, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Water s...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how time-dependent waterline flushing affects the presence of biofilm in otherwise-untreated dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). Water samples were obtained from twelve highspeed handpiece DUWLs located in the undergraduate treatment clinic at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry. Baseline water samples (50 cc) were collected prior to...

Aerosols generated in dental operations are a source of exposure to microorganisms proliferated within dental unit waterlines (DUWL) biofilm. It has been suggested that presence of Legionella species in these aerosols may contribute to potential health hazards for dental staff and patients. The article attempts to provide a brief overview of the current knowledge about Legionella, its prevalenc...

Safety of patients and dental personnel requires the appropriate microbiological water quality in dental units. During treatment, patients and dental workers are exposed both to direct contact with bacteria-contaminated water in the form of splatter and with contaminated water aerosol emitted during work by unit handpieces, including rotating and ultrasonic instruments. The aim of the study was...

Dental health care providers and patients are exposed during ongoing work to contamination by the water used in the dental units, due to accidental swallowing or aspiration of the sprays generated by the high-speed handpiece and the threeway syringe. This study evaluated the quality of water in dental units in the public dental care system of Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil, by conducting analyses of c...

BACKGROUND Dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) are ideal environment for development of microbial biofilms. Microbial contamination of water in DUWLs is thought to be the result of biofilm formation as it could serves as a haven for pathogens. The aim of this study was to assess microbial quality of water in dental unit waterlines of dental units located at the dental school of Isfahan University of...