Research abstract
British Dental Journal 198, 353 - 354 (2005)
Published online: 26 March 2005 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4812174
An investigation of the efficacy of super–oxidised (Optident/Sterilox) water for the disinfection of dental unit water lines
- Dental unit water supplies become heavily contaminated with micro-organisms.
- The number can exceed the European standards for potable water.
- Super-oxidised water was used in a concentrated form to purge biofilm from dental units.
- Super-oxidised water was then used in a 5% (v/v) concentration as a maintenance dose to prevent recolonisation of the units.
- The combination of a purge and a maintenance dose of super-oxidised water reduced the micro-organisms to zero.
Abstract
Aims To determine the efficacy of super-oxidised water (Optident/Sterilox) in the decontamination of dental unit water lines.
Methods Dental units (10) were first purged with concentrated super-oxidised water. After purging, a 5% (v/v) super-oxidised water was used as a maintenance dose. Samples for microbiology were taken after 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7 d, and each week for a further 13 weeks.
Results After purging, 5% (v/v) super-oxidised water was successful in reducing the microbial counts to zero, although in three of the units some bacteria were intermittently isolated in the first week of treatment.
Conclusions Super-oxidised water was successful in the removal of bacteria from dental unit water supplies. Complete removal required the treatment with a purge phase of concentrated disinfectant and a maintenance phase of at least two weeks.
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, University of Liverpool
- Senior Biomedical Laboratory Scientist, Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, University of Liverpool
Correspondence to: M V Martin1
Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX
e-mail: m.v.martin@liverpool.ac.uk
