Bacteriological analysis of water in dental units

Abstract

Although, in recent years, great efforts have been made to inform and make health professionals aware of the importance of sterilization, disinfection and antisepsis, little considerations have been shown in relation to the quality of the water of dental unit systems. In the present work 72 samples of water from 68 dental equipments and 4 faucets were submitted to bacteriological analysis, with the objective of detecting heterothrophic bacteria and coliform group. The samples collected from the faucets were compatible with the water potability patterns. In contrast, 63 (92.7%) of the 68 samples obtained from the dental unit water systems were considered contaminated and only 5 (7.3%) were in agreement with the potability patterns. It was observed that 42 water samples (61.8%) were heavily contaminated, 14 (20.6%) presented moderate index of contamination and 7 (10.3%) were slightly contaminated. The results suggest the need of decontamination of water reservoirs and hoses of these equipments