Evaluation of the efficacy of Alpron disinfectant for dental unit water lines

Smith, A.J., McHugh, S., Aitken, I. and Hood, J. (2002) Evaluation of the efficacy of Alpron disinfectant for dental unit water lines. British Dental Journal, 193(10), pp. 593-596. (doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4801635)

Abstract

AIMS: To assess the efficacy of a disinfectant, Alpron, for controlling microbial contamination within dental unit water lines. METHODS: The microbiological quality of water emerging from the triple syringe, high speed handpiece, cup filler and surgery hand wash basin from six dental units was assessed for microbiological total viable counts at 22 degrees C and 37 degrees C before and after treatment with Alpron solutions. RESULTS: The study found that the use of Alpron disinfectant solutions could reduce microbial counts in dental unit water lines to similar levels for drinking water. This effect was maintained in all units for up to six weeks following one course of treatment. In four out of six units the low microbial counts were maintained for 13 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Disinfectants may have a short term role to play in controlling microbial contamination of dental unit water lines to drinking water quality. However, in the longer term attention must be paid to redesigning dental units to discourage the build up of microbial biofilms.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McHugh, Ms Siobhan
• Authors: Smith, A.J., McHugh, S., Aitken, I., and Hood, J.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RK Dentistry; R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: British Dental Journal
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group for the British Dental Association
• ISSN: 0007-0610
• Copyright Holders: © Copyright British Dental Journal
• First Published: First published in the British Dental Journal 193(10):593-596
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher