Objective

Dental Unit Waterlines (DUWLs) are contaminated by various species of microorganisms. DUWLs should be disinfected appropriately to control microbial contamination. This study investigated the effectiveness of devices continuously releasing iodine to control microbial contamination in DUWLs.

Materials and methods

Ten dental chair units (DCU) at Chulalongkorn University were randomized into the iodine and control groups. After setting iodine treatment devices, the DCU was allowed to operate normally. 25 ml of water from airotors lines were collected weekly for enumerating bacteria. The viability of biofilms in DUWLs was quantified by ATP testing kit. The amount of iodine released into the procedural water was also quantified.

Results

The continuous presence of iodine could significantly control bacterial contamination in the DUWL to be less than 500 CFU/mL, the standard level recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Iodine treatment can reduce bacterial CFU up to 98–100%. Biofilm viability in the iodine group was slightly lower than that of the control group though not statistically significant. After eleven months, the average iodine release was measured to be 3.6 ppm which is still effective in controlling bacterial contamination.

Conclusion

Continuously supplying iodine in DUWLs effectively controls microbial contamination.

中文翻译：

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碘对牙科综合治疗台水管连续净化的有效性

客观的

牙科综合治疗台水管 (DUWL) 受到各种微生物的污染。DUWL 应适当消毒以控制微生物污染。本研究调查了连续释放碘的装置控制 DUWL 中微生物污染的有效性。

材料和方法

朱拉隆功大学的 10 个牙科治疗椅 (DCU) 被随机分为碘组和对照组。设置碘处理装置后，DCU得以正常运行。每周从空气转子管线收集 25 毫升水用于计数细菌。DUWL 中生物膜的活力通过 ATP 测试套件进行量化。释放到程序水中的碘量也被量化。

结果

碘的持续存在可以显着控制 DUWL 中的细菌污染，使其低于 500 CFU/mL，这是美国疾病控制和预防中心 (CDC) 推荐的标准水平。碘处理可将细菌 CFU 降低高达 98-100%。碘组的生物膜活力略低于对照组，但没有统计学意义。十一个月后，测得平均碘释放量为 3.6 ppm，仍然能有效控制细菌污染。

结论

在 DUWL 中持续供应碘可有效控制微生物污染。