Dental Unit Water Quality CH 24

Biofilm

a slime producing bacterial community that can harbor fungi, algae, and protoza

Legionella

the bacterium responsible for Legionnaires’ disease

Microfiltration

the use of membrane filters to trap microorganism suspended in water

Colony forming units

the minimum number of cells on the surface of a semisolid agar medium that create a visible colony

Dental unit waterlines

plastic tubing used to deliver dental treatment water through a dental unit

Self contained water reservior

a container that is used to hold and supply water or other solutions to hand pieces and air water syringes attached to a dental unit

anti retraction device

mechanism that prevents entry of fluid and microorganisms into waterlines as a result of negative water pressure

planktonic bacteria

type of bacteria that floats in water