• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.659-665
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• 2015

A wide variety of methods have been used to control Dental Unit Waterline (DUWL) contamination. Among the methods, flushing is mainly used because it is simple and easy to use. Generally, flushing of DUWL for 20 or 30 sec before using high speed handpieces or scalers is recommended. However, the appropriateness of flushing time was not investigated thoroughly. The purpose of this study was to check the effective time of flushing for decreasing bacterial contamination. Seven dental unit chairs were randomly selected in student clinical simulation laboratory for this experiment. DUWLs were continuously flushed and water samples were collected at an interval of 30 seconds for 15 minutes. From five dental unit chairs, water samples were collected every 10 seconds for 1 minute. Bacterial levels in water samples were examined by the culture method on R2A plates. After 10 second flushing of DUWLs, the number of bacteria significantly reduced and decreased continuously up to 40 seconds. However, even after the water was flushed for 15 minutes, the bacterial contamination level was not reduced below recommended bacteria level, 200 CFU/ml. In addition to flushing, the periodic chemical disinfection is required to control the DUWL water to the recommended level.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.507-516
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the awareness and practice of dental unit waterline management in dental hygienist. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 377 dental hygienists in Seoul and Gyeonggido from March 2 to April 30, 2015. The data were collected by direct visit and informed consent was received after explanation of the study. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, awareness of dental waterline, practice of dental waterline, and implementation of dental waterline disinfection. Data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 program. Results: There was a significant correlation between the dental unit waterline disinfection and the appropriateness of the water used for dental treatment(p<0.01, p<0.001). The handpiece was the most commonly used device before treatment and the majority of the subjects answered that they didn't take water out of ultrasonic scaler and air-water syringe on a daily basis. Conclusions: The majority of the dental hygienists did not know the right understanding and proper practice of dental unit waterline management. To reduce the dental device contamination, the continuing education of waterline management should be done for the dental hygienists.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.383-392
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• 2015

Dental chair unit (DCU) is the most essential equipment for the dental treatment in dentistry. DCU output water is used for various applications during dental treatment. DCU output water must be clean at the same level as drinking water since patients and dental staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated from the DCU. Many studies demonstrated that DCU output water is frequently contaminated with microorganisms including opportunistic pathogen such as Legionella and Pseudomonas species. Thus, DCU output water may be a potential source of infection. In order to reduce microbial contamination levels in DCU output water, periodic management and continuous disinfection are necessary. Currently, there are a variety of disinfection methods for managing DCU output water and its efficacy is also diverse. We reviewed the level of microbial contamination, clinical implications of contaminated DCU output water and the various DCU disinfection methods.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.511-519
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of infection control in dental office and the degree of infection control practice of dental hygienists. A self-reported questionnaire was answered by 193 dental hygienists working in dental hospitals or dental clinics in Gyeonggi and Incheon areas. The number of bacteria was measured sample of surface dental unit chair shoulder backrests and light handles from 19 dental hospitals and 28 dental clinics. It was responded that impression or occlusion bodies were routinely disinfected in 52.6% of the dental hospitals and dental prosthesis were routinely disinfected in 46.4% in dental clinics. The dental hospital and clinics disinfect the surface each 26.3%, 25% after the patient treatment. The dental hospital and clinic were detected bacteria $5.02^*10\^3CFU/mL$, $1^*10\^4CFU/mL$, from dental unit chair backrest, respectively and $8.32^*10\^3CFU/mL$, $4.26^*10\^4CFU/mL$ from light handles, respectively. At the conclusion of this investigation, it can be kept from infection source in dental office is to make the right selection and use of the personal protective equipments and to improve the practice level by regular and active education. The same infection control practice should be done by institutionalizing and mandating infection control practice.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.232-237
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• 2015

The water supplied from dental unit water systems (DUWS) in dentistry may be heavily contaminated with bacteria and thus may be a potential source of infection for both practice staff and patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of heterotrophic bacteria and to confirm the presence of opportunistic pathogens from DUWS in student clinical simulation laboratory of college of dentistry. Water samples were collected from 36 ultrasonic scalers in student clinical simulation laboratory. The levels of heterotrophic bacteria in water samples were quantified by counting colony forming units (CFUs) on R2A agar media. In addition, opportunistic pathogens were detected by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The mean CFUs were 16,095 CFU/ml for water samples and all of water samples exceeded current American Dental Association recommendations of 200 CFU/ml. Pseudomonas species and non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species were detected in the one sample and two samples, respectively, among the 36 water samples by the PCR with specific primers for these bacteria. Our study indicated that DUWS in student clinical simulation laboratory can cause potential infection in students and participants. This study suggested the dental unit water line management and wearing personal protective equipment in student clinical simulation laboratory will be needed to reduce bacterial contamination.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of infection control education on dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors. Materials and methods: Study participants were chosen by random selection among dental hygienists working in Seoul, Korea. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent out for the survey from April 2013 to May 2013, of which 140-excluding incomplete responses-were used for the study. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used (SPSS 19.0), and post-hoc analysis was performed as well. The maximum significance level was 0.05. Results: Average 1.53 times infection control education was taken, but dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors did not show statistical differences whether the education was done or not. Practices to prevent infection showed differences depending on categories, especially disinfection and sterilization were well performed by educated group. The most common reasons for not taking the education and noncompliance with infection prevention guidelines are lack of time and opportunity due to busy schedule. Conclusion: 1. The more highly educated, the greater number of patients per day, and the greater size of hospitals, the better infection control education was conducted. 2. Although hepatitis B is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in Korea, no significant correlation between perceptions of hepatitis B and infection control education was found. 3. Dental hygienists who received infection control education performed more efficient practices for protection against infections than those who did not.