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Effectiveness of a Water Disinfection Method Based on Osmosis and Chlorine Dioxide for the Prevention of Microbial Contamination in Dental Practices

Author

Listed:
  • Michele Totaro

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Federica Badalucco

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Francesca Papini

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Niccolò Grassi

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Marina Mannocci

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Matteo Baggiani

    (San Rossore Dental Unit, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

  • Benedetta Tuvo

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Beatrice Casini

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Giovanni Battista Menchini Fabris

    (San Rossore Dental Unit, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

  • Angelo Baggiani

    (Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

In dental clinics, the infections may be acquired through contaminated devices, air, and water. Aerosolized water may contain bacteria, grown into the biofilm of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). We evaluated a disinfection method based on water osmosis and chlorination with chlorine dioxide (O-CD), applied to DUWL of five dental clinics. Municipal water was chlorinated with O-CD device before feeding all DUWLs. Samplings were performed on water/air samples in order to research total microbial counts at 22–37 °C, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Legionella spp., and chlorine values. Water was collected from the taps, spittoons, and air/water syringes. Air was sampled before, during, and after 15 min of aerosolizing procedure. Legionella and P. aeruginosa resulted as absent in all water samples, which presented total microbial counts almost always at 0 CFU/mL. Mean values of total chlorine ranged from 0.18–0.23 mg/L. Air samples resulted as free from Legionella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Total microbial counts decreased from the pre-aerosolizing (mean 2.1 × 10 2 CFU/m 3 ) to the post-aerosolizing samples (mean 1.5 × 10 CFU/m 3 ), while chlorine values increased from 0 to 0.06 mg/L. O-CD resulted as effective against the biofilm formation in DUWLs. The presence of residual activity of chlorine dioxide also allowed the bacteria reduction from air, at least at one meter from the aerosolizing source.

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Totaro & Federica Badalucco & Francesca Papini & Niccolò Grassi & Marina Mannocci & Matteo Baggiani & Benedetta Tuvo & Beatrice Casini & Giovanni Battista Menchini Fabris & Angelo Baggiani, 2022. "Effectiveness of a Water Disinfection Method Based on Osmosis and Chlorine Dioxide for the Prevention of Microbial Contamination in Dental Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10562-:d:896632
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Filippo Graziani & Rossana Izzetti & Lisa Lardani & Michele Totaro & Angelo Baggiani, 2021. "Experimental Evaluation of Aerosol Production after Dental Ultrasonic Instrumentation: An Analysis on Fine Particulate Matter Perturbation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-10, March.
    2. Rossella Sacchetti & Giovanna De Luca & Emilia Guberti & Franca Zanetti, 2015. "Quality of Drinking Water Treated at Point of Use in Residential Healthcare Facilities for the Elderly," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-15, September.
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