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Dental Unit Waterlines (DUWL)

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Overview 

Biofilm is a thin, slimy film of bacteria that sticks to moist surfaces, such as those inside dental unit waterlines. Biofilm occurs in dental unit waterlines because of the long, small-diameter tubing and low flow rates used in dentistry, the frequent periods of stagnation, and the potential for retraction of oral fluids. As a result, high numbers of common water bacteria can be found in untreated dental unit water systems. A few disease-causing microorganisms found in untreated dental unit water include Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and nontuberculous Mycobacterium. Dental health care personnel and patients could be placed at risk of adverse health effects if water is not appropriately treated. Source: CDC

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings — 2003
• Appendix A - Regulatory Framework for Disinfectants and Sterilants;includes Figure: Decreasing Order of Resistance of Micro-organisms to Germicidal Chemicals
• Appendix B - Immunizations Strongly Recommended for Health-Care Personnel (HCP)
• Appendix C - Methods for Sterilizing and Disinfecting Patient-Care Items and Environmental Surfaces

• Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care
• Infection Prevention Checklist for Dental Settings Basic Expectations for Safe Care
• HAN - October 31, 2022 - Outbreaks of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections Highlight Importance of Maintaining and Monitoring Dental Waterlines
• Mycobacterium absecessus in Healthcare Settings
• Dental Unit Water Quality
• Infection Prevention & Control in Dental Settings

Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP)

• Dental Unit Water Quality: Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention White Paper and Recommendations– 2018
• OSAP Recommendations to Clinicians
• Message to My Patients
• Questions to Help Guide Selection of Dental Waterline Devices and Chemical Treatment Options
• Checklist for Dental Unit Water Quality Improvement
• Troubleshooting Dental Water Quality Problems
• Glossary of Terminology

 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• Dental Unit Waterlines

American Dental Association (ADA)

• Dental Unit Waterlines

Fact Sheets & Information 

Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention

• Dental Unit Waterline Fact Sheet

Related Articles

• Woman Dies After Contracting Legionnaires' Disease From Dentist's Office
• Notes from the Field: Mycobacterium abscessus Infections Among Patients of a Pediatric Dentistry Practice — Georgia, 2015
• Invasive Mycobacterium abscessus Outbreak at a Pediatric Dental Clinic