Bactiquant Tec paper Tandlæge

Technical paper 04-010417 Morten Miller, PhD – BactiQuant Page 1:4

Measurements of bacteria in dental units using BactiQuant ®-Water SUMMARY:

In general, water contaminated with bacteria can

BactiQuant ®-water provides a rapid screening tool for

lead to smell and discoloration. In water samples with

verification of Water System Hygiene in dental units

high bacterial loads the risk of finding the bacterial

and allows professionals to monitor water quality at

toxin – endotoxin increases (Evans et al., 1978; Martin

regular intervals in near real time.

and Daley., 2001). Endotoxin is a heat stable toxin which is present when gram-negative bacterial cells

HYGIENE IN DENTAL CHAIRS:

are disrupted, and can cause adverse health effects if

Many investigations have shown that water systems

swallowed or inhaled as bio aerosols. In large quanti-

in dental units can be heavily contaminated with high

ties endotoxin can cause hemorrhagic shock and se-

concentrations of bacteria (Coleman et al., 2009,

vere diarrhea, in smaller quantities it can cause fever.

2010; Larsen et al., 2008). This is mainly due to a

Endotoxin has also been implicated in development of

complex design of the water system with many pos-

astma in dentists (Pankhurst and Coulter, 2005).

sibilities for accumulation of particles and dirt, as well as formation of biofilm in water hoses and connec-

High bacterial loads in water systems associated with

tions. Besides that, water will frequently be stagnant

poor water quality, also increase the risk of Legionella

in periods where the dental chairs are not in function

(Bartram (Ed) et al.,2007) and other opportunis-

in weekends and during vacations.

tic and pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.