Are Your Dental Unit Waterlines (DUWLs) Safe?

Can we see or identify bacteria from DUWLs with our naked eyes? That's a very simple, "no." So, if we can't see bacteria the only way to know if bacteria is present in dental water is to test for it. Survey results from the JADA publication "Dental unit waterline infection control practice and knowledge gaps," indicated that 23% of dental staff reported testing waterlines weekly, monthly, and after the installation of new dental equipment.

Why Invest in Quality Water in the Sterilization Center?

To better understand how vital water is in dentistry we need to take a more in-depth examination into the value of water in dental practices. The sterilization center is the hub of activity in the back of the dental office, which requires water for instrument cleaning and sterilization. When there is a water issue in the sterilization center the entire office does not function properly.

Identifying When Remediation is Needed

When bacterial levels in the waterlines exceed 500 CFU/mL then remediation is required. Remediating waterlines is not uncommon. In a recent JADA publication 40% of dental personnel reported having failed a waterline test. However, there are additional circumstances when dental waterline remediation may be necessary, so it is important to bring awareness to the following:

The Gold Standard for Water Quality

The gold standard for water quality was established by the EPA in 1986. The current EPA standard for dental unit water is less than 500 CFU/mL of microbial contamination. ADS, CDC and the ADA are in alignment with this standard.

How One-Way Valve Technology is Transforming Saliva Ejector Safety in Modern Dentistry

When it comes to dental tools, it's not every day that one gets put through its paces by nearly a hundred independent clinicians. But that's exactly what happened with HuFreidyGroup's Safe-Flo™ Plus Saliva Ejector. In a clinical evaluation conducted by Dental Advisor—a trusted, third-party expert to dental professionals—this product was used over 6,800 times by 94 dental professionals. The result? A ++++ rating and an 86% clinical score.

How Compliant Are You with the Standards and Best Practices for Instrument Care and Infection Prevention?

Instruments must be properly taken care of if they are to function as they were intended, for as long as they were intended. A safe and efficient cleaning process will protect the investment you've made in high-quality dental instruments.

But in truth, there's more than just money at stake. The process you use to clean and sterilize your instruments is one of your most important and effective tools to protect your instruments, your patients, and yourself.

In Memoriam: Celebrating the Life and Impact of Tracy Baker

Around this time of year, it’s common to see “Year-In-Review” content from various media outlets, covering topics like business, movies, music, and more. These retrospectives often include moments of reflection, celebrating accomplishments, and paying tribute to those we’ve lost.

Stay Ahead of Potential Guideline Changes

For decades, instrument reprocessing guidelines for dental practices have differed from those in larger healthcare settings. However, a new AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) Working Group began working in 2021 to create guidelines for dental instrument processing based on best practices in the ST79 standard used in healthcare facilities.