ORIGINAL ARTICLE The presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the dental unit waterline systems of teaching clinics

• Published in: International journal of dental hygiene Vol. 5; no. 1; p. 36
• Main Authors: Al-Hiyasat, A S, SY Ma'ayeh, Hindiyeh, MY, Khader, Y S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-02-2007
• Subjects: Bacteria; Contamination; Oral hygiene; Sanitation; Jordan (country)
• ISSN: 1601-5029; 1601-5037
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2007.00221.x

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of Dental Unit Water (DUW) at a Dental Teaching Center in Jordan. Methods: Water samples were collected from 30 dental units, 10 from each of three teaching clinics, namely conservative dentistry, periodontology, and prosthodontics. Samples were collected from the outlet of the air/water syringe, high-speed handpiece and water cup filler, at the beginning of the working day (before use), after 2 min flushing, and at midday. Results: P. aeruginosa was detected in 86.7% (26/30) of the dental units at the beginning of the working day, and in 73.3% (22/30) after 2 min of flushing and at midday. Conservative dentistry units had the highest counts, followed by periodontology and prosthodontics (P < 0.05). Overall, the highest counts (log10 count CFU ml-1) were at the beginning of the working day (1.38 +/- 1.05), and the lowest counts after flushing for 2 min (1.10 +/- 1.03), and higher numbers were seen again at midday (1.15 +/- 1.04) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: 86.7% of the dental units were contaminated with P. aeruginosa , the conservative dentistry units had the highest amount of contamination. Flushing the DUW for 2 min significantly reduced the counts of P. aeruginosa . [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]