Waterborne biofilms and dentistry: the changing face of infection control

Interest in and concern about the biofilms that occur in dental equipment and waterlines have been increasing in recent years. Dental unit waterlines are ideal environments for the growth of microorganisms entering dental units from the municipal water supply. This article describes the conditions in waterline tubing that favour development of biofilms and discusses the level of risk that such microbial growth poses for both dental professionals and their patients. It is stressed that very few cases of infection have been linked directly to contamination in dental unit waterlines. Finally, potential solutions for minimizing risks are presented and discussed.