Even though there are several sides to the question of whether or not to use a dental waterline cleaner, with the proper information you can make informed choices concerning the way to best treat your dental unit waterlines. The CDC now recommends that coolant water used in non-surgical dental procedures meet EPA regulatory standards for drinking water, which is less than or equal to 500 colony forming units of heterotrophic bacteria per milliliter of water. 

Research has shown that in newly installed dental unit waterlines, microbial counts can reach a count of 200,000 colony-forming units (cfu) per milliliter within five days after installing new lines! 

Although infection associated with microbial contamination of waterlines appears to be rare, it has been shown that the level of microorganisms in untreated dental unit waterlines is greater than 500 CFU/mL, which exceeds the drinking water standard. This may not be a worry to healthy individuals but colonization of microorganisms inside the waterlines might place aged or immunocompromised patients at needless risk. In 2012, a case report was published concerning an 82-year-old otherwise healthy woman who developed Legionnaire's disease after a dental visit. The elderly woman died after contracting Legionnaires disease which was attributed to dental unit waterline being contaminated with these microbes. 

These microorganisms colonize and replicate on the inside surfaces of the waterline tubes, inevitably resulting in microbial accumulations termed "biofilms". Biofilms, once shaped, function as a reservoir considerably amplifying the numbers of free-floating microorganisms within the water exiting the waterlines. In dental unit water level systems that aren't maintained, these microorganism accumulations will contribute to occasional objectionable odors and visual particles of biofilm material exiting the system. 

This is the reason that dental unit waterlines must be maintained regularly; to deliver water of an optimal microbiologic quality. All dental waterlines, new or old, that are not being cleaned routinely will not pass the 500 cfu maximum limit with rare exception. Often, the output water from dental waterlines is many times more contaminated than tap water. 
 

How Do I Know What the CFU Levels in my Dental Waterlines Are?

DENTAL WATERLINE TESTING

The only way to know what the CFU levels in your dental water lines are is use a dental waterline testing product to test the water coming out of the unit. Simple and inexpensive Dental Unit Waterline Testing methods to estimate the number of free-floating heterotrophic bacteria in dental unit water are available. A well-designed water quality indicator should be self-contained and easy to use in-office. Aqua-Dent offers a reliable, easy-to-use dental unit waterline test system designed specifically for dentistry.

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  • Aqua-Dent Mail-In Water Testing Kit
    This system provides an effective method to accurately determine the colony forming units of bacteria present in the dental unit water. Simply collect water samples from each dental unit in a separate test vial and place in the provided, postage paid mailer. Samples are received and processed immediately. Results are faxed to you. Test failures are immediately phoned to your office. Available in 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 vial sets.

Help the CFU in my Water lines is more the CDC recommendation! What can I do?

DENTAL WATERLINE CLEANERS

If you're probing for a dental unit waterline cleaner that's straightforward to use, can be used up to 1 year and is the sole dental water line cleaner cleared by the FDA with a claim that meets the ADA's recommendation for dental line quality, then Dentapure is the product for you. Dentapure is the sole continuous-treatment product registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency as an anti-microbial water line product. 

With the Dentapure there's no tablets, no mixing, and no need to use a specific type of water. Merely install the Dentapure tube within the bottle of your water system with the fast connect fitting or in line along with your municipal water supply. Additionally, Dentapure provides phone support for installation and operational queries. Dentapure works each time you employ your waterlines reducing biofilms and leaving water under 200 cfu's.

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  • DentaPure Waterline Cleaner - Available as a Year-long or 40 Day Cleaner
    DentaPure is the easiest to use and most reliable dental water line purifier today. You can have worry-free, labor-free ADA Compliant dental unit waterlines.
    • No Pills - DentaPure uses regular tap water. No need to use distilled water.
    • No Line Shocking - Saves time, labor, and expense.
    • Easy to Check - Convenient test strips tells you in 1 minute if it's still working.
    • No Worries and No Hassle - Only takes a few seconds to install and eliminates time consuming procedures allowing more time with patients.

Discount Disposables has a line of waterline testing and treatment products designed to reduce harmful bacteria exposure from the dental water to protect your patients and staff. For questions or to order call us at 800-366-0973 or email info@ddicp.net!