Dental Unit Water Lines and Risk of Pathogenic Parasitic Contamination

Mouth care is of great importance for patients in dental care units, for provision of oral health care, and there is great concern about the levels of oral diseases associated with inappropriate and unhygienic oral care practices, the most important of which is the contamination of water with microbes. Oral health is at risk due to systemic diseases transmitted to patients due to microbial contamination of the dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) with pathogenic microbes. Reports of cases infected with pathogenic microbes were published of patients receiving treatment in dental unit waterlines. The quality of water is of considerable importance because both patients and dental team are regularly exposed to water and aero-sols generated by dental equipment. Studies have demonstrated that DUWLs provide a favorable environment for microbial proliferation and biofilm formation, and that water is consequently often contaminated with high densities of various microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses). The presence of high levels of microbial contamination may be a health problem for dentists and patients, especially those who are immuno-compromised. The current status of knowledge on microbial contamination of DUWLs is presented, with an emphasis on the infectious risk associated with DUWLs. It is essential that a high standard of mouth care combined with adequate and water quality, and preventive dental units in order to maintain oral comfort and prevent a deterioration and public health.