Dental unit wastewater, a current environmental problem: a sistematic review

The effect of different types of water sources on dental unit waterline contamination: A systematic review and meta analysis

To systematically review the effect of different types of water sources on dental unit waterline (DUWL) contamination. 5 databases were searched from their inception to December 23, 2023. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of the literature. The risk ratio (RR) was used as measure of effect size in meta-analysis. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used for evaluating quality of the evidence. Meta-analysis was completed by RevMan 5.4.5 studies involving 561 water samples were quantified for meta-analysis. The results indicated that no significant differences were found in view of contamination rate (RR = 1.01; 95 % CI, 0.72-1.41; P = 0.96, I 2  = 62 %; GRADE low)and detection rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (RR = 0.78; 95 % CI, 0.15-4.13; P = 0.77; I 2  = 83 %; GRADE very low) between using purified water and tap water as water sources of DUWL. The available evidence suggests that there is no significant difference between purified water and tap water in controlling DUWL contamination. However, the conclusions need to be further validated through more randomized controlled trials with robust design and a large sample size.

Characteristics of wastewater originating from dental practices using predominantly mercury-free dental materials

Dental materials are currently undergoing a revolution. Mercury use, including traditional amalgam (mercury-containing) material used in dental fillings, is now being widely regulated under the Minamata convention, and dental amalgam is currently being replaced by resin formulations in dentistry. These resin-based materials can be tuned to offer varying material properties by incorporation of a range of nano- and micro-particle based 'fillers' for different dental properties and applications. However, these innovations may have a concomitant effect on the waste streams associated with common dental applications, in particular the potential for higher concentrations of novel micro- and nanomaterials within wastewater streams, and a potential route for novel nanomaterials into the wider Environment. These new materials may also mean that wastewater filtering apparatus commonly deployed at present, such as amalgam separators, may be less efficient or insufficient to capture these new filler materials in dental facility wastewater. In this work, we analyse dental wastewater streams from three dental facilities in Ireland with differing amalgam separators in place. The potential overall toxicity, particulate load and physicochemical properties are analysed. The overall risk posed by these new materials is also discussed.

Water Contamination Risks at the Dental Clinic

Dental clinics, furnished with an array of specialized equipment, are commonplace, particularly in industrialized countries. Minimizing the risk of infection at the dental practice requires the formulation and implementation of strict protocols. These protocols must address the real risk posed by water contamination, particularly given that water is both integral to the function of some dental equipment, and is typically administered directly to the patient. The water in the dental clinic may be of local origin or from a water main, this can be problematic since the clinician often has little assurance regarding the quality of water reaching the dental chair. Though most modern dental equipment includes self-sterilization protocols, care must be taken that water does not stagnate anywhere in the dental equipment or clinic. The management of water quality at the dental clinic is an important part of respecting the protocols needed to manage the risk of patient infections.