Microbial contamination in dental unit waterlines A comparison among different specialty departments in a stomatological hospital
10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2009.51.042
- VernacularTitle:口腔综合治疗台高速涡轮机水路的细菌污染状况
- Author:
Pingping XU
;
Xiaochun CHEN
;
Xiaoqing SHEN
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research
2009;13(51):10189-10192
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The presence of various microorganisms in dental unit waterlines has been revealed by numerous reports previously. However, impact of different dental procedures on microbial contamination in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) remains unclearly.OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of microbial contamination in water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of dental chair units (DCUs) among different specialty departments in a provincial stomatological hospital. Thus, to propose individual infection control measures for different specialty departments according to their properties of microbial contamination.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cross-sectional investigation was designed and conducted in Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital and Laboratory of Microbiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, between May 2007 and March 2008.MATERIALS: The materials used in this investigation including nutrient agar, blood plates, biochemical testing kit, agglutination testing kit and Gram staining agents. These materials were purchased from Guangdong Huankai Microbial Science and Technology Co., Ltd.METHODS: Water sampling was conducted at 80 DCUs of different specialty departments in Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital. A total of 60 mL, with 6 mL for once sampling of water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of each DCU were collected aseptically after the finish of the daily clinical work on every second Friday between May and October in 2007. Standard isolation and identification technique of bacteria was adopted.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concentration of bacteria and prevalence of 3 species of bacteria in water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs among different specialty departments were evaluated.RESULTS: Concentration of bacteria in water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs averaged 5.67×10~2 cfu/mL, ranged from 5.15×10 to 1.59×10~3 cfu/mL. The microbial concentration of water samples from Department of Periodontics was significantly higher than that from other departments, while the microbial concentration of water samples from Department of Oral Surgery was the lowest (P = 0.000).CONCLUSION: Contamination in water effluent from the high-speed handpiece line of DCUs varied from different specialty departments in the provincial stomatological hospital. It is suggested that DUWLs flushing should be performed routinely, especially for the department without frequent use of the high-speed handpiece in the daily work, and extra infection control measures should be adopted for the department with severe clinical operative contamination.
