Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings—2003
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Slide 76: Dental Unit Waterlines and Biofilm
Slide Text
- Microbial biofilms form in small bore tubing of dental units
- Biofilms serve as a microbial reservoir
- Primary source of microorganisms is municipal water supply
Picture, top: Image of microscopic biofilms.
Picture, bottom: Image of microorganisms.
Speaker Notes
Studies have shown that colonies of microorganisms, or biofilms, can form on the inside of the small-bore plastic tubing that transports water within the dental unit to handpieces and air-water syringes. Once formed, a biofilm serves as a reservoir that may dramatically increase the number of free-floating microorganisms in water used for dental treatment.
Most organisms isolated from dental water systems originate from the public water supply and do not pose a high risk of disease for healthy persons. Although a few pathogenic organisms, such as Legionella spp. and Pseudomonas sp., have been found, adverse public health threats have not been documented.
Photo credit, top: CDC Image library. This Scanning Electron Micrograph depicts an E. coli (ATCC 11775) biofilm grown on PC (polycarbonate) coupons using a CDC biofilm reactor.
Photo credit, bottom: Illustration from the Center for Biofilm Engineering, Bozeman MT.
Page last reviewed: September 22, 2009
Page last modified: April 26, 2005
Content source:
Division of Oral Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion
