Thankfully, news stories relating to the lack of hygiene in dental practices are rare. Consequently, when a serious lapse of infection control happens in dentistry, the headlines are all the more shocking[i].
 

For dentists, successful decontamination is a multi-layered process, where vigilance is key. The microorganisms found in dental settings are often on surfaces and hidden in self-contained water supply systems. Moreover, many pathogens are growing ever more resilient to disinfectants and drugs so preventive methods are even more crucial. Also, our increasingly ageing population have weaker immune systems and greater susceptibility to water and blood-borne illnesses.
 

The quality of water supplying dental unit water systems (DUWS) e.g. autoclaves, washer disinfectors and Reverse Osmosis filters, has to be of optimum purity. The complex network of connecting plastic tubes integral to DUWS, have consistently proven to be prone to microbial biofilm cultivation. Whilst the majority of opportunistic pathogens are eliminated by chlorine added to our water supplies, the composite nature of some bacteria renders them either completely resistant to, or more robust in their defence against disinfectants.
 

One example is Cryptosporidium – a parasite causing the diarrheal disease, cryptosporidiosis, acquired through drinking contaminated water. It is resistant to most forms of disinfection and therefore constitutes something of a headache to the water industry and health officials. Reverse Osmosis water filters that have been correctly maintained, have shown to effectively eradicate this insidious pathogen.
 

Other gram-negative (multi-drug resistant) microorganisms found in DUWS output water include:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (leading to infections of the blood), the legionella species (leading to serious respiratory diseases).
• Human-derived pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (leading to MRSA)[ii].
• Legionella pneumophila, causing Legionnaires’ disease, which thrives especially well within biofilms.

Reverse Osmosis water filters dilute water from a more concentrated state by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane. They are highly effective in removing protozoa (single celled microscopic organisms) such as Cryptosporidium and viruses such as Hepatitis A and Norovirus[iii].
 

CleanCert is one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of infection control solutions. For example, its range of exemplary Reverse Osmosis filters are demonstrably effective at reducing the risk of waterborne infections. The team is also dedicated to providing you with more cost-effective ways of maintaining compliance, by developing simple to use ‘annual maintenance kits’ and water analysis ‘dipslide apps’, to ensure you can manage and maintain your own decontamination protocols effectively, quickly and inexpensively. 

Protect yourself, your staff and your patients, call CleanCert today.

For more information, please visit www.cleancert.co.uk, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 08443 511115

I have to admit, I have never enjoyed our annual infection control lecture. Past experience has left concerned about the quality of the CPD on offer, worried that I will be subjected to another afternoon of scare-mongering and opportunistic commercialism. Far worse, though, is the yo-yo-like introduction and withdrawal of guidelines that happens year on year – usually without any scientific evidence to support the decisions.
 

Like any conscientious practitioner, I take these responsibilities very seriously and, ultimately, I think the changes that have been made have been positive.
 

But all I want is a little consistency. I’m sure we can all remember when we were required to keep our sterilised equipment in bags, to be re-sterilised after 30 days of non-use. That quickly changed to 60 days and now it’s gone up to one year. Why?
 

Who knows?
 

The science that dictates these guidelines is not made widely available to professionals – we are simply required to dogmatically follow them. What’s more worrying, however, is the fact that private practitioners are not consistently informed of these regularly changing guidelines. NHS practices and hospitals receive regular updates from the Department of Health – but we are too often left in the dark. Gone are the days when the BNF was sent to all practices: we now have to purchase it or subscribe online.
 

In fact, and I say this with a certain amount of trepidation, I regularly find out about new guidelines by reading through some of the GDC fitness to practise hearings. I often see cases where practitioners are being penalised for something of which I’m not even aware. In this, I think, there has been a fundamental failing in the profession – which is having serious ramifications for practitioners right across the country. 

 

I also couldn’t help tallying up just how much compliance could end up costing. With all the changes, with all the considerations, I was left wondering what strategies I would have to employ to make it feasible – and it all came back down to the question of consistency again. Should practices spend significant sums of money to replace their old sinks with ones that are compliant this year but potentially not the next? Should they have to budget for the government’s indecisiveness?

It’s a difficult situation and, ultimately, the patient will suffer. If practitioners are always having to buy new equipment, new cabinetry or new PPE the cost of treatment will inevitably go up to accommodate the additional costs. It’s not a case of ignoring these topics – the protection of our patients is, and always will be, our foremost consideration – but in order to best do that, we need a consistent direction and a better system for sharing the knowledge we need.

For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999

Or visit www.endocare.co.uk

Dr Michael Sultan BDS MSc DFO FICD is a Specialist in Endodontics and the Clinical Director of EndoCare. Michael qualified at Bristol University in 1986. He worked as a general dental practitioner for 5 years before commencing specialist studies at Guy’s hospital, London. He completed his MSc in Endodontics in 1993 and worked as an in-house Endodontist in various practices before setting up in Harley St, London in 2000. He was admitted onto the specialist register in Endodontics in 1999 and has lectured extensively to postgraduate dental groups as well as lecturing on Endodontic courses at Eastman CPD, University of London. He has been involved with numerous dental groups and has been chairman of the Alpha Omega dental fraternity. In 2008 he became clinical director of EndoCare, a group of specialist practices.

Dentisan’s parent company Quadralene, has been recognised for their recent significant increase in international sales, winning the Medilink East Midlands Export Achievement Award.

The increase has been driven largely by Quadralene’s expansion in healthcare markets and their products are now sold in 41 countries worldwide. In 2012, overseas sales increased by 70% and are forecast to rise by a further 50% this year.

Managing Director of Dentisan, Andy Corley, said,  “I am thrilled to receive this award on behalf of a terrific team that works hard each day to build our growing reputation as a leader in the field of infection control. Their tireless effort on behalf of our international clients is what makes the difference. This award is proof that their work is recognised not only in the UK market but also on a global stage.” 

Medilink is an organisation that celebrates the latest technologies, outstanding business achievement and international success across the UK Life Sciences sector and this is not the first Medilink award-win for the company. Two years ago, Dentisan received an “Outstanding Achievement” award for their collaborative work with University of Nottingham School of Biosciences in developing Bioclear, a biofilm remover for Dental Unit Water Lines. The company now goes forward to Medilink’s National Finals, held at the end of the year.

For more details of Dentisan’s full range of infection control products visit www.dentisan.co.uk

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