Guest Authored by Melissa Van Witzenburg, MS, RDH
As a dental hygienist, I know that the sterilization center is the heart of any dental practice. When practices invest in high quality water for the sterilization center, it increases efficiency of the back office, equipment breaks down less frequently, and it allows for better utilization of staff time allowing them to focus on patient care. The key to understanding why it’s important to invest in this essential component of the office, is appreciating how valuable water is to your practice.
Why Invest in Quality Water in the Sterilization Center?
To better understand how vital water is in dentistry we need to take a more in-depth examination into the value of water in dental practices. The sterilization center is the hub of activity in the back of the dental office, which requires water for instrument cleaning and sterilization. When there is a water issue in the sterilization center the entire office does not function properly. Dental procedures cannot continue as scheduled; valuable time, money, and energy is spent addressing issues with malfunctioning sterilization equipment.
Understanding TDS
All dental personnel should have a basic understanding that not all equipment utilizes the same water. Municipal water quality can vary from one location to another, due to the source, seasonal changes, climate and the types of soil and rocks that it naturally runs through. A recent study published in JADA indicated that more than 50% of dentists, hygienists, and assistants reported primarily using distilled water for sterilization center equipment. Approximately, 21% of all participants utilize an in-office water filtration system. However, the inconsistent responses of the participants, indicate that dental staff may not fully understand the reasoning why, different water is used for different equipment.
The simple explanation is that not all water is created equal. Total dissolved solids (TDS) play a major role in water, the overall performance of dental equipment is impacted by the amount of TDS in water. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines total dissolved solids (TDS) as the inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter present in solution in water. Dental equipment is impacted by the amounts of TDS in the water as we will discuss a little later. For example, water with zero TDS, has a pH of 7, contains no minerals or chemicals, is 100% pure, and has no taste. In fact, water with zero TDS doesn’t taste good to most people. However, low TDS water is ideal in a healthcare setting and is best suited for specific medical equipment. Water that has been distilled has had the chlorine filtered out of it, has zero TDS, and is also drinkable. To the naked eye water looks the same, but on our tongues the water does not taste the same.
The use of an in-office water treatment system can not only ensure that the single office’s water will be consistent, it will also ensure consistency amongst many offices. If an office doesn’t have an in-office water treatment system, typically, they are purchasing bottled water. This requires someone to either procure a delivery service and ensure it is being ordered or actually go out and pick it up. Is this the best use of their time? Having an “on demand” system in the office is so much more efficient for the staff and it ensures constancy.
The Effect of Water on Sterilization Equipment
Let’s review what type of water should be used with specific dental equipment. Visually, the water needed for different sterilization equipment may appear the same, but the microscopic properties vary between types of water.
- Filtered low TDS Water: typically dispensed from a dedicated faucet and used for
- Filling chairside water Bottles
- Ultrasonic Cleaners
- Post-cleaning manual instrument rinse
- Rinse cycle of automated Instrument Washers
- Autoclave-ready water: usually dispensed from a wand or similar tool for ease of access to the water-holding tanks in autoclaves and used for
- Filling Autoclaves
What happens when the wrong water is used in the sterilization center equipment? Risks associated with using the incorrect water are that equipment can breakdown faster, require more frequent/expensive repairs, not function properly, and/or fail to adequately sterilize instruments. For example, use of impure water is not appropriate for sterilizing dental instruments and can lead to corrosion, premature wear, weakening of the metal, and a decreased lifespan. Even more so, if incorrect water is placed in an autoclave, similar to lime deposits around sinks or shower heads; it can lead to mineral deposits in the sterilizer. These deposits build up over time like layers of paint. As they build up, they decrease the efficiency and functionality of the steam generator, as well as clogging up pipes and valves. An investment into the sterilization center, contributes to future successes in your dental practice.
Selecting a Water Purification System
When selecting a water purification system for your sterilization center, it is important to select equipment that is:
- simple to use
- provides an adequate amount of purified water to sustain usage throughout an average day
- provides the correct type of water for the sterilization equipment
- frequency of filter replacement and system maintenance requirements (bi-annually, yearly, or only as-needed)
After the initial purchase of a water purification system, dental offices should immediately experience a more relaxed workflow and begin to see an increase in back-office efficiency.
HuFriedyGroup has the VistaPure Water Purification System that provides two grades of high-quality water for filling steam sterilizers, dental bottles, ultrasonic cleaners and for the final-rinse cycle of compatible instrument washers that easily connects to your local city water supply. The high-quality water that VistaPureÔ Water Purification System produces is easily accessible in the sterilization center via faucets and a point-and-shoot wand for autoclave-ready water.
When considering investing into a water purification system, I challenge you to reflect on the following:
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- How often have you needed to repair your sterilization equipment? What costs has the practice incurred?
- How often is staff running to the store to purchase bottles of distilled water?
- When performing maintenance on the autoclave, have you noticed mineral deposits when draining the water reservoir?
- Have you failed a spore test? If so, how many?
- Are you noticing spots on your instruments after sterilization?
Remember, an investment in automatizing the sterilization center will increase office efficiency, extend the life of your dental instruments and equipment, and eliminate the need for a dedicated time for staff to work with sterilization water. An investment in water today, is an investment for the future of your practice.
About Melissa Van Witzenburg, MS, RDH
Melissa has been practicing dental hygiene for 23 years. She continues to pursue her passion by educating the aging population about oral health and systemic links. Melissa also works clinically in a periodontal office in the Chicagoland area.
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