Week 8 (Chapter 15): Dental unit water asepsis and air quality

PPT based

What is the maximum allowable number of colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) for drinking water in a dental unit?

500 CFU/ml

Which of the following terms is equivalent to drinking water as described in the text?

Potable water

Regarding the source of water for the dental unit, which statement is true according to the provided information?

The water enters the dental unit from the same supply as the entire office.

What is the primary source of the water that enters a dental unit?

The same water that supplies the entire office

Which of the following describes the status of the water at the point it enters the dental unit?

It is not sterile and has a low number of waterborne microbes.

Which device may release water containing more than 100,000 CFU/ml?

Dental handpiece

According to the text, what does CFU stand for?

Colony Forming Unit

Which microorganism can be found in soil, natural waters, and even distilled water?

Pseudomonas

Which pathogen is specifically associated with causing respiratory issues in individuals with cystic fibrosis?

P. cepacia

Which characteristic is attributed to Legionella in the provided text?

It causes Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia.

Where has Nontuberculous Mycobacterium been found according to the text?

Dialyzers used for kidney dialysis

Under what condition do most waterborne microorganisms typically cause harmful infections?

If the client is immunocompromised

Which microorganism is known to exist in soil and natural waters and can even survive in distilled water?

Pseudomonas

P. cepacia is identified as a significant respiratory pathogen for which specific group of individuals?

Individuals with cystic fibrosis

Which clinical condition is primarily caused by P. aeruginosa according to the text?

Urinary tract infections and pneumonia

What is a characteristic of Legionella regarding its resistance to disinfectants?

It is somewhat resistant to chlorine.

Which of the following is true about the classification of Legionella?

It is a gram-negative organism.

What specific type of pneumonia is caused by the Legionella bacteria?

Legionnaires disease

Which microorganism is noted for being somewhat resistant to chemical killing and has been found in kidney dialyzers?

Nontuberculous Mycobacterium

According to the text, why are most waterborne microorganisms typically not a major concern for the general population?

They have a low chance of causing harmful infections in healthy individuals.

Which of the following is a common characteristic of Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Klebsiella, and Serratia?

They are all gram-negative opportunistic pathogens.

What is the primary target group for harmful infections caused by these opportunistic pathogens?

Compromised hosts

Where is endotoxin specifically located in bacteria?

Within the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria

Which of the following can be caused by the presence of endotoxins?

Inflammation and shock

What is the specific endotoxin limit for sterile water according to the text?

No more than 0.25 units endotoxin/ml

What is the definition of biofilm as provided in the text?

A mass of microorganisms attached to a surface exposed to moisture

According to the notes, when does the water become highly contaminated?

When it is inside the dental unit

What is the primary source of contamination within the dental unit water lines?

Biofilm forming on the inside of the lines

Which condition is necessary for biofilm to attach to a surface according to the text?

Exposure to moisture

Which physical characteristic of dental unit waterlines significantly contributes to biofilm formation due to its high surface-to-volume ratio?

Small diameter tubing

How does stagnant water influence the development of biofilm in dental units?

It provides a quiet environment for bacteria to settle and attach.

The constant presence of water in the lines is a factor because it provides:

A moist environment for multiplication

Which term is used to describe microorganisms that are free-floating in the water?

Planktonic

How are sessile microorganisms characterized in the context of dental unit water lines?

They attach to the inside walls of the water line.

Intermittent stagnation of water occurs during which of the following periods?

Between clients, overnight, or during weekends

What is the primary consequence of water stagnation within the dental unit?

It facilitates the attachment of bacteria from the planktonic community.

According to the text, the transition of bacteria from the planktonic community to a sessile state is aided by:

Intermittent stagnation of water

According to the CDC, what is the maximum allowable level of bacteria for water used in routine dental treatment?

Fewer than 500 CFU/ml

Who should the dental team consult with to ensure appropriate maintenance of their water-line equipment?

The dental unit manufacturer

What is the recommended minimum duration for discharging water and air from dental devices after each patient?

20 seconds

What action should be taken regarding water quality as part of these recommendations?

Monitor water quality according to recommendations

What is the primary goal of infection control according to the text?

To eliminate or reduce exposure to microorganisms

What is the specific responsibility of the Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) in infection control?

To reduce the risk of infectious diseases by limiting contact between clients and microbes

Which action helps an RDH fulfill their responsibility to reduce disease risk?

Limiting contact between clients and microbes

According to CDC recommendations, when should water lines be run for several minutes?

At the beginning of each clinic day

What type of water must be used when performing surgical procedures that involve cutting bone?

Sterile water

What is the primary benefit of using High Volume Evacuation (HVE) during the use of an ultrasonic scaler?

It reduces team exposure to aerosol and spatter.

How does a rubber dam protect the patient during dental treatment?

It acts as a protective barrier from dental unit water.

According to the text, HVE reduces exposure to contamination from which sources?

Patient's oral fluids and water spray from instruments

According to the RCDSO guidelines, how long should all waterlines be thoroughly flushed at the beginning of each workday?

at least 2 to 3 minutes

Which items must be removed from the waterlines before the initial daily purging is carried out?

Handpieces, air/water syringe tips and ultrasonic tips

After providing patient care, how long should handpieces using water coolant be run for flushing?

20 to 30 seconds

What must occur after removing a used handpiece and before attaching a sterilized one for the next patient?

Cleaning and disinfection of clinical contact surfaces

According to CDHO guidelines, how can the risk of infection from dental unit water microorganisms be effectively reduced?

By following regular waterline maintenance procedures

What is the microbial count goal when performing regular waterline maintenance according to the text?

Counts similar to those in potable water standards

What must be done for components permanently attached to dental unit waterlines, such as electric handpiece motors?

They must be covered with barriers and changed after each client.

After removing a barrier from a permanently attached component, what is the next required step before the next client?

Cleaning and disinfection with a low-level disinfectant

Which approach involves using separate bottles filled with distilled water instead of the main office supply?

Independent water reservoirs

The use of 'antimicrobial agents' in dental unit waterlines is primarily intended to:

Kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms

Which system would be most appropriate for treating the water as it first enters the dental office building?

Source water treatment systems

For high-risk surgical procedures, which approach is specifically required to ensure maximum safety?

Sterile water delivery systems

What is considered a key element in maintaining a healthy water supply for a dental office?

Monitoring systems

If a 'boil-water notice' is issued, what is the correct protocol for a dental office regarding patient care?

Clients should not be seen.

What is the primary function of a backflow prevention device in a dental office?

To prevent back-siphonage of contaminated fluids into the public water supply

How long should water be boiled during a boil-water notice according to the text?

Until the problem is fixed

How does the microbial count in dental air generally compare to that in dental unit water?

Dental air contains much fewer microbes than water.

Where can bacteria potentially multiply within the dental air system?

In the moisture that accumulates in the air tanks

What happens to the moisture in the air during the compression process?

It is 'squeezed out' and settles to the bottom of the tank.

Regarding dental compressor filters, which of the following is true according to the text?

Filters may not be able to remove all the bacteria present.