Dental Unit Waterlines (Biofilms)
In our environment, we are exposed to countless germs or bacteria. These common microbes or germs accumulate inside things like showerheads, faucets and fountains, and in the thin tubes used to deliver water in dental treatment. Scientific reports have not linked illness to water passing through dental waterlines. Patients should always feel free to ask their dentist about water quality or any other aspect of their practice.
- What are biofilms?
- Will biofilms harm me?
- What has been done to prevent me from being exposed to someone else's saliva during dental treatment?
- What is the ADA goal for dental unit water?
- Is the water in my dentist's office safe?
- How soon will dentists have devices meeting this new (200 CFU/mL) goal in their offices?
- Does the ADA oppose government regulations on this issue—even if legislators adopt the ADA's own goal?
- What should patients know about waterlines?
Biofilms are microscopic communities that consist primarily of naturally occurring water bacteria and fungi. They form thin layers on virtually all surfaces, including dental water delivery systems. These common microbes or germs accumulate inside things like showerheads, faucets and fountains, and in the thin tubes used to deliver water in dental treatment.
Scientific reports have not linked illness to water passing through dental waterlines. In our environment, we are exposed to countless germs or bacteria. Yet, exposure to these common microbes does not mean that an individual will get an infection or a disease. However, when a person's immune system is compromised because of age, smoking, heavy drinking, being a transplant or cancer patient or because of HIV infection, he or she may have more difficulty fighting off the invading germs. This is why the ADA encourages patients who may have weakened immune systems to inform their dentist at the beginning of any treatment. That way, the patient and dentist together can make the right treatment decisions.
What has been done to prevent me from being exposed to someone else's saliva during dental treatment?
The ADA recommends that dentists follow the infection control guidelines of the ADA and CDC. These recommendations include the sterilization of dental instruments and the flushing of waterlines between patients. Additionally, the recommendations call for the installation and maintenance of anti-retraction devices, where appropriate. All these measures should help prevent exposure to someone else's saliva.
What is the ADA goal for dental unit water?
In 1995, the ADA set a goal for water quality. It called for equipment to be available by the year 2000 that can provide unfiltered water with no more than 200 CFU/ml (colony-forming units per milliliter). That's the same standard as for kidney dialysis machines, and it's a goal that manufacturers are working toward. The Food and Drug Administration has recently cleared a number of new products to improve water quality and time is needed to evaluate their effectiveness. The Association encourages manufacturers of new products to submit those products to the ADA Seal of Acceptance program for evaluation.
Is the water in my dentist's office safe?
Scientific reports have not linked illness with water passing through dental waterlines. However, patients should feel free to ask their dentist about the quality of their dental treatment water or any other aspect of their practice. To help reduce the number of microorganisms in treatment water, the Association recommends that dentists follow the infection control guidelines of the CDC and ADA. This is in addition to other precautions that your dentist may have in place.
How soon will dentists have devices meeting this new (200 CFU/mL) goal in their offices?
The current trend is toward dental units with features to enhance water quality. The FDA has recently cleared a number of new products to improve water quality and time is needed to evaluate their effectiveness. That's why the ADA is continuing its leadership in education and research in this area. The ADA strongly urges manufacturers to submit their devices for dental unit waterline use to the ADA Seal of Acceptance Program for scientific evaluation, which allows dentists to choose products with even greater confidence.
Does the ADA oppose government regulations on this issue--even if legislators adopt the ADA's own goal?
Yes. The ADA favors a voluntary goal and strongly opposes any effort to turn a scientific goal into a legal dictate. The dental profession has an excellent, proactive record on this and other safety issues. In fact, the dental profession has led the way when it comes to improving water quality. Because of the ADA statement issued in 1995, the research and dental industries have responded very positively to this issue. The number of products (approximately 25) cleared by the FDA for improving water quality reflects this response.
What should patients know about waterlines?
Patients should always feel free to ask their dentist about water quality or any other aspect of their practice. Patients also should inform their dentist of any health problems and medications they might be taking so the patient and dentist can make the right treatment decisions.
~ Courtesy of the American Dental Association
