If you are interested in reading the entire article, please call the individual whose name is highlighted for a reprint. Validation of an in-office dental unit water monitoring technique. Dental unit waterline contamination results from biofilm formation on small-bore dental tubing lines. Many microorganisms have been identified using a wide variety of recovery techniques. Most waterborne microorganisms are considered opportunistic pathogens, representing potential for disease transmission.
Monitoring is considered essential for evaluation.
Technology now has produced in-office techniques eliminating laboratory support requirements. Milipore Corp. The HPC Samplers are disposable, self-contained testing devices. The medium is designed to accurately absorb 1 ml of the water sample, simplifying microoorganism calculations. Of the 408 tests conducted, the results of the HPC Samplers agreed with the HPC agar and R2A agar 377 times, for an accuracy rate of 92.6 percent. Monitoring of dental unit waterline quality periodically is a cost-effective means of ensuring compliance with the manufacturer recommended treatment protocols.