Evaluation of Hydrogen Peroxide for Dental Unit Waterline Contamination Control

Objectives: The objectives of this study was to evaluate use of two concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H202) for cleaning dental waterlines and also for use as an irrigant in providing dental treatment water of acceptable microbial quality. Methods: Three dental units with mature biofilms with effluent water contaminated >4.6log10 cfu/mL. Two units used 3% as a cleaner with 5 minutes contact and used 0.3% H202 as an irrigant (600mL/day). The third dental unit had no chemical treatment but for a 1 minute flush every hour six times/day. Results: Laser confocal microscopy showed mature viable biofilm at baseline in all units. The H2O2 treated dental units showed no biofilm at the end of the study with mean effluent contamination <1log10 cfu/mL. The control units showed mature viable biofilm at the end of the study with mean effluent concentration >4.6log10. Conclusions: In this study H202 when used at 3% as a daily flush removed biofilms. 0.3% H202 was efficacious in controlling contamination in the effluent. SBIR Phase-1 grant to Lynntech Inc. (Subcontract TAMRF to BCD TAMUS)