May 27, 2010
The Question
What is the nature of the biofilm community in the dental unit waterline?
What we found
The biofilms contained a wide variety of bacteria, some of which could be hazardous to human health, as well as thee eukaryotic organisms. In locating these organisms, culture-based methods were less successful than culture-independent methods.
Why it matters
The presence of microorganisms in the dental unit waterline could pose a serious risk to humans exposed to them. This study not only showed that potentially harmful bacteria are present in the waterline but also showed which techniques are best for further examination of the biofilms.
