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INFECTION CONTROL , STERILIZERS AND STERILIZER SOLUTION

CATEGORY

Proven 3-Step water treatment protocol

W ith emphasis on infection control becoming heightened during the recent pandemic, there is a new focus on ensuring dental unit waterline quality is adequately maintained. Coolant water enters the patient’s mouth during procedures and aerosols caused by the action of high-speed hand pieces are capable of spreading infectious particles through the atmosphere. is means water used in dental units must be of the highest quality and free of potential contaminants. A self-contained dental unit waterline system treated with A-dec’s convenient ICX tablets gives precise control of water quality. Together with daily waterline maintenance with a proven solution like ICX, it’s important to monitor water quality and apply shock treatment as prescribed by local guidelines. A-dec ICX Renew™ is the perfect complement to self-contained waterline units to ensure the highest quality water is delivered to patients. ICX Renew as a shock treatment is part of the ‘A-dec 360 Maintenance’ approach which includes regular waterline maintenance; waterline qualitymonitoring; and periodic shock treatment. Contaminatedwater lines can cause the build-up of bio lm, resulting in foul-tasting water, odour, and spread microorganisms that can present a potential health risk. e latest ADA Infection Control Guidelines suggest a shock treatment if CFU (coliform forming units) reach 200 CFU/mL. ese shock treatments are required periodically to clean dental unit waterlines, and more often if dental units have been left unused for any period, such as over a holiday break.

A-dec’s dental unit waterline testing service can provide accurate results in just minutes.

A waterline testing service such as that provided by A-dec service dealers using specialist digital water test equipment can be easily incorporated as part of your routine equipment servicing – much like periodic steriliser validation. It is good practice to test microbial levels in water lines quality regularly (at least every six months) as a standard protocol to ensure dental unit waterline quality is not forgotten. In keeping with ADA Guidelines, A-dec recommends a three-step: ‘Maintain, Monitor, and Shock’ approach to keeping water lines clean. Monitoring requirements will depend on your water quality and the clinic’s individual requirements. Initially, test water once a month. If the results pass your speci ed action level (i.e., 200 CFU/mL using the ADA guidelines), then reduce the testing protocol to at least every six months. e A-dec 360 Maintenance system (comprising water quality testing, shock treatment and ICX tablets) takes the uncertainty out of dental unit waterline maintenance, ensuring water quality and patient safety is maintained, and that equipment is protected. If your test triggers an action level, treat you dental units with ICX Renew shock treatment. After the prescribed time, the shock treatment is ushed out of the dental unit water lines which are then ready to be re lled with clean water. An ICX tablet matching the size of the

self-contained water bottle is then used to maintain the water lines on an ongoing basis until the next test is due. Both ICX and ICX Renew are safe to use in dental units and are non-corrosive and gentle on equipment and will not corrode or clog waterlines. ICX and ICX renew are speci cally recommended for A-dec equipment because some other shock treatments use harsh chemicals which can harm dental tubing, diaphragms, ‘O’ rings and other soft components. u Contact your A-dec dealer for more information on infection control products and ask about the recently released Dürr Hygoclave class B steriliser for fast, dependable sterilisation of all dental instruments and accessories.

ICX Renew shock treatment effectively cleans your waterlines without harming dental unit components.

110 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST