Attitudes of general dental practitioners in Europe to the microbial risk associated with dental unit water systems

Abstract

The major findings were that the majority of dentists did not clean, disinfect or determine the microbial load of their DUWS, and that dentists would welcome regular monitoring and advice on maintaining their DUWS; the introduction of guidelines; and recommendations on controlling the microbial load of DUWS.

Evaluation of Activities Aimed at Preventing Microbiological Risks in Dental Practice

“…Preventive measures reducing/eliminating microbiological contamination of dental unit waterlines and system draining liquids off the unit in surgeries of surveyed Polish dentists Tabela 2. Działania zapobiegawcze redukujące/eliminujące skażenie mikrobiologiczne przewodów wodnych i systemu odprowadzającego płyny z unitu dentystycznego w gabinetach ankietowanych polskich stomatologów with units over 5 years old, while in about 8% of dental offices units are less than one year old (14). Our study shows that with regard to the possibility of maintaining good microbiological quality of water in DUWL, the situation in Poland is less favourable than that in other European Union countries.…”

“…In Spain and Ireland, 18% and 77%, respectively, of dental units were equipped with water reservoirs. Among the studied dental units in Western Europe, only 9% were supplied with water from plastic bottles (14).…”

“…Similar studies conducted in West-European countries show that 60% of dental offices are equipped Microbiological risk prevention in dental practice Nr 1 15 by 6% of the respondents, while 14% of the dentists responded that disinfection was time-consuming (27). More recent European research shows that 55% of general dentists do not wash nor disinfect DUWL, while in the Netherlands it is true about 78%, in Ireland -68%, in Greece -91%, and in Germany -21% of the surveyed dentists (14).…”

“…The dentists voluntarily answered 15 questions included in an anonymous questionnaire. The survey questionnaire is an adaptation of Kamma et al (14), and it was extended with questions about handling the tubing system that drains liquids off dental units. The survey was conducted in 2010 during one of the training meetings of the Polish Dental Association.…”

Opportunistic Bacteria in Dental Unit Waterlines: Assessment and Characteristics

“…Researchers studying the problem of DUWL water contamination indicate the need for investigating and raising awareness of the risk of occupational exposure and cross-infection in general dental practices [37]. They also stress that it is necessary to develop and use effective methods of reducing DUWL microbiological load [8,38,39].…”