Evaluation of 3 dental unit waterline contamination testing methods
General Dentistry
|January 10, 2015
Summary
Comparing heterotrophic plate count (HPC) methods for dental unit waterlines (DUWLs), this study found Standard Method 9215C most accurate. The chairside method is useful, but 9215E is unsuitable for DUWL monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) can harbor heterotrophic bacteria, posing potential risks.
- Previous studies show inconsistent results when measuring bacterial counts in DUWL samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of an in-office chairside method with two commercial laboratory methods (Standard Methods 9215C and 9215E) for heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria in DUWL samples.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-three DUWL samples were analyzed.
- Results from a chairside method were compared against Standard Method 9215C and 9215E.
Main Results:
- Standard Method 9215E yielded limited detection of heterotrophic organisms at 35°C, indicating unsuitability for DUWL monitoring.
- The in-office chairside method demonstrated utility for DUWL quality monitoring.
- Standard Method 9215C provided the most accurate results for HPC bacteria in DUWL samples.
Conclusions:
- Standard Method 9215C is the most accurate method for HPC bacteria enumeration in DUWLs.
- While the chairside method is practical for DUWL monitoring, Standard Method 9215E is not recommended.
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