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t

he previous article in this series looked

at the potential dangers attached to theuse of contaminated water in the dental

surgery. Te subject of DUWL contamination

has received much attention in recent years

and several research papers and clinical

articles have highlighted the risks to patients,

clinicians and practice sta.

Tis article will describe how Optident

Sterilox can provide potable water for use in

dental unit water lines that use closed bottle

systems.

Optident Sterilox is a safe and fast acting

eective broad spectrum biocide. It is

produced by the conversion of an electrolytic

solution into hypochlorus acid, which is

reported to be many times more eectivethan hypochlorite (bleach), when used as a

biocide.1

Te super-oxidised solution2 successfully

reduces the level of colony forming units

(CFUs) in water, from thousands to virtually

zero.

A neatly designed generator (Figure 1),

enables this conversion to take place, using

electrolysis. Te Sterilox generator can be

sited on any convenient worktop, and allows

the immediate dispensing of Sterilox solution

on demand.

In use

Sterilox is a completely safe solution, and does

not involve the use of any toxic chemicals.

Being non-irritant and non-aggressive, it is

not harmful when in contact with the skin.

It does not require the use of additional

protective clothing, eyewear or equipment

and there are no special precautions attached

to its disposal.

When using Sterilox in DUWLs, it should

be diluted with tap water, (min 2% Sterilox

/ 98% water). It can then be used in closed

bottle dental unit water supplies, initially as

a purging agent and aerwards as a method

of maintaining a clean, potable water supply

(Figure 2).

o achieve successful initial purging

of already contaminated DUWLs, it is

recommended that concentrated, non-diluted

Sterilox solution be used.

Sterilox is extremely versatile, and can

be used as a disinfecting solution, in which

conventional dental impressions can safely beimmersed without any adverse eects to their

surface or overall stability. A 10% solution

can be used, and impressions should remain

immersed for 10 minutes (Figures 3 and 4).

Te solution is also eective as a hard

surface disinfecting agent and can be

used in much the same way as proprietary

disinfectants.

In tHe suRGeRY

o create the Sterilox solution, the generator

must rst be lled with the electrolyte

solution. Te electrolyte solution has been

Carmel Maher is a fully-trained infection control

advisor, and has worked with dental practice

teams for over seven years. She has a wealth

of knowledge covering virtually all aspects of

infection control and runs courses on behalf of

Optident.

In part two of her feature on dental unit water lines, Carmel Maher describes a highly eective

system that will virtually eliminate bacteria

InfectIon contRoLDENTAL UNIT WATERLINES

teamfocus

PPDDecember 2011 95

Figure 1: The Optident Sterilox generator

Figure 2: Filling closed

bottle water supply with

Sterilox solution

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8/3/2019 Infection Control Water Lines Pt2 - PPD December

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specically developed for dental use, and is

the only one that should be used. A one gallon

container will provide sucient Sterilox to ll

approximately 175-250 DUWL bottles.

Having lled the generator, it is only

necessary to depress the panel switch

at the front of the generator to produce

Sterilox solution immediately (Figure 5).

Conversion is eected by use of a proprietary

electrochemical cell within the generator

(Figure 1). Te solution is then collected in a

calibrated plastic container, which can assist

in measuring correct dilution levels.

It is recommended that the strength of theSterilox solution be checked regularly using

test strips that are dipped into the solution.

Tese are similar to litmus paper and can be

checked against a colour comparison chart

that will indicate the strength of the solution.

o measure the eectiveness of Sterilox

in reducing bacterial contamination, it is

suggested that use be made of dip slides.

Tese are available from Optident and allow a

simple before and aer check to be made of

the water quality.

Initial checking of DUWL water supplies

will invariably show a heavy colony forming

unit (CFU) presence, but aer initial purging

and routine use of Sterilox in the system, they

will show virtual elimination of CFUs aer

only a few weeks.

By using Sterilox dental practitioners can

be assured that they can virtually eliminate

the risks that are attached to the use of

contaminated water supplies in their dental

units, therefore contributing to a safer

working environment for patients, clinicians

and dental practice sta.

RefeRences

1. Hypochlorus Acid - a new potential for

Dentistry, Martin, MV, Dept. of Clinical

Dental Sciences, Univ. of Liverpool,

Dentistry, Nov 2003

2. Martin MV, Gallagher MA. An

investigation of the ecacy of super-

oxidised (Optident Sterilox) water for

the disinfection of dental unit water

lines, British Dental Journal, March,

2005:198(6) 353-354.

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96 December 2011 PPD

To ask a question or comment on this article please send

an email to: comments@ppdentistry.com

For detailed information on Sterilox, please contact

Optident Ltd:

01943 605050

sales@optident.co.uk

www.optident.co.uk

Figure 3: Dispensing Sterilox solution from collection vessel into impressiondisinfection bath

Figure 4: Impressions immersed in bath of a diluted Sterilox solution

Figure 5: Depressing the panel switch on the generator to deliver Sterilox solution into collection vessel

Figure 6: Diagram showing the proprietary electrochemical cell

teamfocus

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