Overcoming the problem of residual microbial contamination in dental suction units left by conventional disinfection using novel single component suction handpieces in combination with automated flood disinfection

• Published in: Journal of dentistry Vol. 43; no. 10; pp. 1268 - 1279
• Main Authors: Boyle, M.A, O’Donnell, M.J, Russell, R.J, Galvin, N, Swan, J, Coleman, D.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Automated disinfection; Automation; Bacteria; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - growth & development; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Contamination; Cross Infection - microbiology; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Cross-contamination; Decontamination; Dental Clinics; Dental Equipment - microbiology; Dental Instruments - microbiology; Dental suction handpieces; Dental unit suction; Dentistry; Disassembly; Disinfection; Disinfection & disinfectants; Disinfection - methods; Dismantling; Equipment Contamination - prevention & control; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure; Floods; Humans; Infection Control, Dental - methods; Infection prevention; Infection reservoir; Manuals; Patients; Product development; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - isolation & purification; Risk reduction; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; Sterilization - methods; Streptococcus infections; Studies; Suction - instrumentation; Suctioning; Water Microbiology; Dental suction handpieces; Dental unit suction; Cross-contamination; Decontamination; Infection reservoir; Risk reduction; Disinfection; Infection prevention; Automated disinfection
• ISSN: 0300-5712; 1879-176X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2015.07.018

Abstract Objectives Decontaminating dental chair unit (DCU) suction systems in a convenient, safe and effective manner is problematic. This study aimed to identify and quantify the extent of the problems using 25 DCUs, methodically eliminate these problems and develop an efficient approach for reliable, effective, automated disinfection. Methods DCU suction system residual contamination by environmental and human-derived bacteria was evaluated by microbiological culture following standard aspiration disinfection with a quaternary ammonium disinfectant or alternatively, a novel flooding approach to disinfection. Disinfection of multicomponent suction handpieces, assembled and disassembled, was also studied. A prototype manual and a novel automated Suction Tube Cleaning System (STCS) were developed and tested, as were novel single component suction handpieces. Results Standard aspiration disinfection consistently failed to decontaminate DCU suction systems effectively. Semi-confluent bacterial growth (101–500 colony forming units (CFU) per culture plate) was recovered from up to 60% of suction filter housings and from up to 19% of high and 37% of low volume suction hoses. Manual and automated flood disinfection of DCU suction systems reduced this dramatically (ranges for filter cage and high and low volume hoses of 0–22, 0–16 and 0–14 CFU/plate, respectively) ( P < 0.0001). Multicomponent suction handpieces could not be adequately disinfected without prior removal and disassembly. Novel single component handpieces, allowed their effective disinfection in situ using the STCS, which virtually eliminated contamination from the entire suction system. Conclusion Flood disinfection of DCU suction systems and single component handpieces radically improves disinfection efficacy and considerably reduces potential cross-infection and cross-contamination risks. Clinical significance DCU suction systems become heavily contaminated during use. Conventional disinfection does not adequately control this. Furthermore, multicomponent suction handpieces cannot be adequately disinfected without disassembly, which is costly in time, staff and resources. The automated STCS DCU suction disinfection system used with single component handpieces provides an effective solution.