Development of long-term practical solutions to the universal problem of biofilm contamination of dental unit waterlines

Abstract

Microbial contamination of dental chair unit (DCU) output water by biofilm growth in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is a universal problem and a potentially significant source of cross-infection. At the outset of this project the emphasis on DUWL biofilm in the literature focused on describing the problem and attempts at its control using a range of DUWL treatment agents. However, no long-term studies on the efficacy of DUWL disinfection using a large number of DCUs have been reported. Furthermore, until recently, DCU manufacturers have been slow in developing DCU design changes to facilitate DUWL biofilm control.