engleski

INFECTIOUS RISKS RELATED TO USE OF THE DENTAL UNIT WATER

The water used in dental practice needs to run long distance, from local waterways to the dental unit, where it is used for the proper work of the dental instruments and mouth rinsing. According to the literature, water in dental units is colonized with microorganisms. These microorganisms form a biofilm on the inside of the waterline tubing, which is a potential source of the free-floating microorganisms in dental unit water. That may be a risk for patients and the dental team because they are exposed to aerosol and water generated by the dental unit. Microorganisms that have been isolated from dental unit water are gram-positive bacteria (Actinomyces sp., Lactobacillus, Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, etc.), gram- negative bacteria (Fusobacterium, Legionella, Pseudomonas, etc.), fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus, etc.), and protozoa (Giardia, Microsporidium, etc.). Studies have shown that immunocompromised patients are at risk for infection from the dental unit water. To prevent infection transmission we use different chemical and nonchemical methods. The objective of this paper is to present infectious risks related to use of the dental unit water, microorganisms founded in biofilm formed in dental unit waterlines as well as their pathogenic potential, and methods used for reducing the risk for infection.

dental unit water, infection, biofilm, Legionella

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