Efficacy of water filters for dental chair units: assessment of the filtration action versus Coxsackievirus B5
Vol. 61 No. 2 (2020), Health Care Management
Vol. 61 No. 2 (2020)

Efficacy of water filters for dental chair units: assessment of the filtration action versus Coxsackievirus B5: BACTERIOLOGICAL AND VIRAL SAFETY OF WATER FILTERS FOR DENTAL SURGERY UNITS

Health Care Management
https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.2.1462
Published 2020-05-12
Antonio Scarano
Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences and CeSI-Me, University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1374-6146
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Keywords

Dental chair, hydraulic system, biological safety, microbiological tests, coxsackie virus.

Abstract

Introduction: The microbiological safety and control of the water used in dental practice has a critical importance for avoiding cross-linked infections in the dental office. The aim of this study was to establish coxsackie virus filtration of the water applied to a dental unit.

Methods: A specific water filter system was used, to verify the viral load in the outgoing water. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Statview software from SAS Institute.

Results: The outcome of the evaluation of the virological tests shows an excellent capability of virus filtration that attested 99.9999% in the volume analysed. A statistical difference was found in the bacterial water contamination before and after filtration. (P=0.000000). 

Conclusions: According to the tests, medical devices applied to a dental unit are able to filter viruses and therefore reduce risk of contamination in the dental office.

https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.2.1462
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