Dental Unit Waterline Contamination: Causes, Concerns, and Control, 4th Edition
Course Overview
This course offers a comprehensive overview of the problem of dental unit waterline contamination. Because of the extremely narrow dental unit waterline tubing through which patient treatment water is delivered, along with frequent periods of water stagnation, the inner surfaces of tubing provide a particularly favorable environment for the multiplication of micro-organisms. The complexity of dental unit waterline contamination will be discussed along with the importance of monitoring contamination levels. The methods used to control microbial growth and the limitations associated with current approaches will also be explained. Participants will also learn how to judiciously choose a dental unit waterline disinfectant best suited to their practice needs.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Identify the causes of dental unit waterline contamination and describe the standards for dental unit waterlines that address these issues.
- Describe the types of microorganisms recovered from dental unit waterlines.
- Explain the consequences of dental unit waterline contamination.
- Identify the current approaches to improving dental unit waterline quality and their limitations.
- Explain the rationale and methods available for monitoring dental unit waterline quality.
About the Author/Presenter
Mark J. Szarejko, DDS, FAGD, received his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985 and his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1994. He has been in private practice for 16 years, with the balance involved in correctional (county jail) dentistry. In 2007, he received the Certified Correctional HealthCare Professional (CCHP) designation from the National Commission of Correctional Healthcare. He has authored and edited several dental continuing education courses and has given presentations on varied topics to local, regional, and national audiences. He has been an examiner for the dental and dental hygiene licensure exams for the Northeastern Regional Boards (NERBS), now the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments, since 1994. He has reviewed standard-of-care cases for the State of Florida and for private companies.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Dental
AGD Code: 148
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
