Dental-Hygiene

The hygienic requirements in the field of dentistry are clearly defined and they are enforced with considerable efforts in dental clinics and dental offices dependent on the available technology.
Already in 1993 the Commission for the Prevention of Infections established the basic requirements for water purity in dental offices (published in the German Federal Health Paper 6/93.

One of the basic requirements was an analysis of the water purity in dental units every six months, with emphasis on such instruments as cavitrons, high speed drills, air water syringes etc. The minimum threshold values should be equivalent to the drinking water quality as laid down in the respective local regulations. However, because of the design of the water circuits in the dental chairs even these specifications cannot be reliably fulfilled.  The water in nearly all dental chairs analyzed and tested by Nivoclean showed a germ level of above 500 CFU/ml. In addition pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.-coli and coliform bacteria were found in quite a few systems. Because several times the water contained even ameba there is the likelihood of finding even legionelles (respective tests were not yet done, however). 

In the following several of the reasons why so many dental units showed an excessive level of bacteria:

1.) Long downtime periods (nights, weekends, vacation etc.) with the water remaining in the dental units. Standing water generally leads to a growth of germs. Because the dental chairs are equipped with water heaters (ca. 30 °C) there are ideal conditions for the multiplication of germs. 

2.) The use of plastic pipes in the dental unit frequently accelerates the multiplication of germs with a formation of a biofilm as could be found in many systems.

3.) In spite of disinfection systems an evident level of bacteria could be detected in several units. Reason could be that either the technical system does not function or wrong agents or faulty doses lead to a reverse effect putting in doubt such technologies.

Moreover the demands for the sterilization of dental instruments as laid down in the respective DIN/EN–standards must be closely followed. The documentation must fulfill the minimum requirements for tracing back the sterilized products, operators, and dates as well as a prove of the sterilization cycle (thermo indicators). 

In order to fulfill all of such requirements in the future Nivoclean developed its unique and patented Dentadry–System to be fitted to dental chairs together with the Dental-Hygiene-System DHS1 for service and support. The application of these systems guarantee the water purity in the dental office in a cost-effective and professional way. 

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