Biofilms

List 3 places on the human body where microbes can be found

-All mucous surfaces -Digestive Tract -On/In Layers of skin

List 3 microorganisms that can colonize in dental unit waterlines

-Bacteria -Fungi -Protozoa

List 3 examples of biofilm

-PLAQUE ON TEETH -"gunk" in drains -coating on rocks in river

What microorganisms from dental water systems can cause waterborne infections in susceptible patients?

-Pseudomonas species -Nontuberculous mycobacteria

What are biofilms?

-Surface film that contains microorganism and other biologic substances -Bacteria that adhere to surfaces in moist environments by excreting a slimy, glue-like substance

Level of endotoxin permissible in sterile water for irrigation

0.25 endotoxin units/mL

Research has demonstrate that microbial counts can reach __________ colony forming units (CFU) within ________ days after installation of new dental unit waterlines

1) <200,000 CFU/mL 2) 5 days

Dental devices that are connected to the dental water system and that enter the patients mouth should be operated to discharge water and air for a minimum of?

20-30 seconds after each patient

What is the percentage of cells in the human body that are colonized by microbes?

90%

APHA

American Public Health Association

AWWA

American Water Works Association

Number of bacteria in water used as an irritant for nonsurgical dental procedures

As low as reasonably achievable

CDC recommended dental waterline be flushed WHEN to reduce the microbial load?

At the beginning of the clinic day

How many cell layers are Biofilms communities?

Can be as thin as a few or many inches thick

Removal or inactivation of dental waterline Biofilms requires use of?

Chemical germicides

CFU

Colony-forming units

Bacterial Infection and Biofilms result in what relating to Oral Health?

Dental caries

Biofilms are held together by sugary molecular strands termed as?

Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS)

Bacteria that live in very hot and very cold environments are called?

Extremophiles

T or F: using source water containing <500 CFU/mL of bacteria (tap, distilled, or sterile water) in a self-contained water system will eliminate bacterial contamination

False

Where do Biofilms grow?

In almost any environment where there is a combination of moisture, nutrients, and a surface

Health-care associated transmission of pathogenic agents occurs primarily through?

Inhalation of infectious aerosols

regulatory standard for safe drinking water

Minimum <500 CFU/mL

Acceptable level of endotoxin in drinking water

No standards exist

How many bacterial species have been identified in typical dental plaque biofilms?

Over 500

How affective is flushing the waterline?

Studies have demonstrated flushing does not affect Biofilm in the waterline or reliably improve the quality of water used during dental treatment

What is the purpose of flushing the lines?

To physically flush out patient material that might have entered the turbine, air, or waterlines

Majority of organisms recovered from dental waterlines

heterotrophic water bacteria