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Chapter 24: Unit w
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| antiretraction device | mechanism that prevents entry of fluids and microorganisms into waterlines as a result of negative water pressure; also called “suck back” |
| biofilm (BYE-oe-film) | slime-producing bacterial communities that can harbor fungi, algae, and protozoa |
| colony-forming units (CFUs) | number of separable cells on the surface of a semisolid agar medium that create a visible colony |
| dental unit waterline (DUWL) | small-bore tubing usually made of plastic, used to deliver water through a dental unit during dental treatment |
| heterotrophic (het-ur-oe-TROF-ik) bacteria | bacteria that use organic carbon as food; protozoa fungi, and most bacteria fall into this category |
| immunocompromised | having a weakened immune system |
| Legionella (lee-juh-NEL-uh) | bacteria that can cause a certain type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ pneumonia |
| microfiltration | process by which contaminated fluid is passed through a pore-sized membrane to separate microorganisms |
| planktonic (plank-TON-ik) | describes small organisms that float or drift in bodies of salt or fresh water |
| self-contained water reservoir | container attached to a dental unit that is used to hold and supply water or other solutions to hand pieces and air-water syringes |
| Are waterborne diseases limited to dentistry? | Outbreaks of waterborne disease have occurred in a broad range of facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, restaurants, community water supplies, swimming pools, and spas. |
| Is the presence of bacteria in dental unit waterlines a recent finding? | The presence of bacteria in DUWLs was first reported more than 30 years ago. |
| Has a widespread public health problem regarding contaminated dental water been reported? | no evidence suggests a widespread public health problem, published reports have associated illness with exposure to water from dental units |
| What bacteria is associated with legionellosis? | Legionella species are harmful bacteria often found in water and moist places that are responsible for the disease |
| What is the disadvantage of heating the dental unit water? | Heating water to near body temperature for patient comfort may enhance the growth of microorganisms. |
| Is it possible to eliminate biofilm completely? | When bacteria are embedded in the protective biofilm (slime layer), they are extremely difficult to remove or kill. Bacteria in the biofilm are up to 1500 times more resistant to chemical germicides than are planktonic (free-floating) bacteria. |
| If sterile water is used in the self-contained reservoir, will the water that enters the patient's mouth be sterile? | Failure to follow maintenance (cleaning and disinfection) procedures as recommended by the manufacturer may cause the water to become contaminated with even higher than normal counts of waterborne pathogens. |
| How often should microfilters be changed? | Depending on the amount of use, the cartridges must be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations |
| What precautions should you take when selecting a chemical for the dental unit? | You must take care in selecting the best product to use, because some chemicals can cause damage to the dental units |
| What type of water must be used for irrigation for surgery involving bone? | Only sterile water from a sterile water delivery system or hand irrigation with sterile water in a sterile disposable syringe should be used in these types of surgeries. |
| Will flushing DUWLs remove biofilm? | temporarily reduces the microbial count in the water and helps clean the hand piece waterlines of materials that may have entered from the patient's mouth |
| When should the high-volume evacuator be used to minimize aerosol? | when assisting with use of the high-speed hand piece, ultrasonic scaler, and air-water syringe. This will reduce contamination from the aerosol and spatter from the patient's saliva and from contact with the water spray |
| Will the use of a rubber dam totally eliminate exposure to microorganisms? | reduces the aerosolizing and spattering of patient microorganisms onto the dental team, but it does not reduce exposure of the dental team to dental unit water. |
| What methods are available to test the quality of dental unit water? | a commercial testing service, to which you send samples of the unit water and results are mailed or faxed back to the dental office. the second method is to use an in-office test kit usually done with three samples of water taken from the same dental unit |
| Why DUWLs contain more bacteria than faucets. | Not only does it carry bacteria from the community waterlines like regular faucets but saliva can be retracted back into the waterlines during treatment, a process called “backflow.” Even the pressure of the hand pieces can play a huge factor. |
| Why there is a renewed interest in DUWL contamination | increased awareness of occupational hazards in the dental office, as well as concern about the increasing number of dental patients who have been diagnosed with a weakened immune system |
| The primary source of microorganisms in dental unit water | The primary source of microorganisms in DUWLs is the public water supply. However, saliva can be retracted back into the waterlines during treatment, a process called “backflow.” |
| The role of biofilm in DUWL contamination | Biofilm is a type of “plaque” that develops inside DUWLs and causes “infection” of the water delivery system. |
| Factors involved in bacterial contamination of dental unit water | Intermittent stagnation of water inside the units typically occurs between patients, overnight, and over weekends, allowing the planktonic community of bacteria to attach to the walls of the tube and heated water. |
| Describe methods used to reduce bacterial contamination in DUWLs | Flush waterlines for several minutes, Use a self-contained water reservoir system, application of chemical germicides, Use a separate (sterile water) system for surgical procedures, Use microfiltration cartridges in the waterlines. |
| Where is biofilm found? | Biofilm is found in virtually all places where moisture and a suitable surface exist. |
Created by:
Keyarafrench