Thankfully, news stories relating to the lack of hygiene in dental practices are rare. Consequently, when a serious lapse of infection control happens in dentistry, the headlines are all the more shocking[i].
 

For dentists, successful decontamination is a multi-layered process, where vigilance is key. The microorganisms found in dental settings are often on surfaces and hidden in self-contained water supply systems. Moreover, many pathogens are growing ever more resilient to disinfectants and drugs so preventive methods are even more crucial. Also, our increasingly ageing population have weaker immune systems and greater susceptibility to water and blood-borne illnesses.
 

The quality of water supplying dental unit water systems (DUWS) e.g. autoclaves, washer disinfectors and Reverse Osmosis filters, has to be of optimum purity. The complex network of connecting plastic tubes integral to DUWS, have consistently proven to be prone to microbial biofilm cultivation. Whilst the majority of opportunistic pathogens are eliminated by chlorine added to our water supplies, the composite nature of some bacteria renders them either completely resistant to, or more robust in their defence against disinfectants.
 

One example is Cryptosporidium – a parasite causing the diarrheal disease, cryptosporidiosis, acquired through drinking contaminated water. It is resistant to most forms of disinfection and therefore constitutes something of a headache to the water industry and health officials. Reverse Osmosis water filters that have been correctly maintained, have shown to effectively eradicate this insidious pathogen.
 

Other gram-negative (multi-drug resistant) microorganisms found in DUWS output water include:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (leading to infections of the blood), the legionella species (leading to serious respiratory diseases).
• Human-derived pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (leading to MRSA)[ii].
• Legionella pneumophila, causing Legionnaires’ disease, which thrives especially well within biofilms.

Reverse Osmosis water filters dilute water from a more concentrated state by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane. They are highly effective in removing protozoa (single celled microscopic organisms) such as Cryptosporidium and viruses such as Hepatitis A and Norovirus[iii].
 

CleanCert is one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of infection control solutions. For example, its range of exemplary Reverse Osmosis filters are demonstrably effective at reducing the risk of waterborne infections. The team is also dedicated to providing you with more cost-effective ways of maintaining compliance, by developing simple to use ‘annual maintenance kits’ and water analysis ‘dipslide apps’, to ensure you can manage and maintain your own decontamination protocols effectively, quickly and inexpensively. 

Protect yourself, your staff and your patients, call CleanCert today.

For more information, please visit www.cleancert.co.uk, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 08443 511115

Quick and simple to use, cost-effective and proven to be 100% effectual, CleanCert products have not only been endorsed by the NHS for over a decade, but have consistently been shown to be a safer, easier and cheaper way to protect your dental practice.

At the BDIA Dental Showcase 2015, the team from disinfection experts CleanCert will be on stand O65 to explain how their products will benefit your practice.

We are all aware of the threats bio-films and dangerous pathogens pose to healthcare environments and as dental professionals you are responsible and accountable for reducing the risk of contamination. CleanCert offers affordable, proven and CE certified products that you can rely on to keep your patients and your dental team safe from infection.

Providing dental professionals with a number of ‘best in class’ water purification and disinfectant products, CleanCert also offers a dedicated water-testing and equipment disinfection service that will ensure your practice always complies with crucial HTM 01-05 and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations.

To see how you could benefit from these easy to use and highly effective products, be sure to visit the CleanCert team on stand O65 at this year’s BDIA Dental Showcase.

For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0844 351 1115