Insights from Tec-Safe

Dental decon leads have long recognised the risks of biofilm accumulation in dental waterlines. This article aims to inform and clarify current legislation and guidance governing dental practice water lines.  

Current policies in dentistry, particularly in countries like the UK, have a significant impact on how dental practices manage and disinfect their waterlines. These policies are shaped by regulatory bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC), National Health Service (NHS), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and international guidelines from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to public health and development globally. A 2019 WHO report showed that bacterial AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide and contributed to 4.96 million more. So, what can we do to limit the problem?
For dentists and other practitioners in oral health, AMR is a widely recognised problem, and one that could escalate rapidly in the future. Currently, as many as 1 in 10 primary care antibiotic prescriptions are made by dentists, according to the British Dental Association, and there is evidence that not all of these prescriptions are appropriate (BDA). We need to find ways to curb the problem in individual practices and at an industry-wide level.

Not long after the NHS celebrated its 75th anniversary, there continue to be calls for transformation within the institution. Embracing change is essential for all healthcare workers. And understanding how change impacts your practice will enable you to guide everyone towards the best outcomes, for sustainability and beyond. (1274 words)

Dental practices are a high-risk area for the spread of infection, either through environmental (surface, airborne, water) or cross-infection (human to human) risks. Dental procedures can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, and patients with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised or vulnerable) are at particular risk of infection. Bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms are a major cause of infection in a dental practice. The structure of these organisms into biofilm makes them difficult to treat with traditional methods.

As dental practices began to re-open in the summer of 2020, COVID-19 precautions meant a major reduction in capacity for NHS providers. Everyday hygiene measures were ramped up to minimise transmission between patients and dental teams, and any aerosol-generating procedure became a logistical nightmare. Preventative dentistry like dental hygiene visits and regular check-ups were deprioritised to make way for emergency treatment.

And though the crisis point has passed, the pressure is still high in many parts of the country with practices struggling to meet the demand for treatment.

‘Sustainability’ is a growing theme across all areas of clinical treatment – but what impact does it have on the daily lives of front-line staff, especially nurses? Here, Simon Davies, founder of CleanCert Hygiene, continues his ‘Green Solutions’ series, focusing on how eco-friendly products minimise environmental impact today, whilst delivering higher performance. (1129 words)

(1228 words)   As a primary source of reinfection, biofilm control is a vital but often overlooked aspect of ‘best practice’ in dental surgeries. The focus needs to switch to biofilm formation, suggests the latest independent research on the treatment of dental...

‘Sustainable Dentistry’ is now embedded as one of the key recurring themes across all dental practices – but what does that mean for dental professionals in their everyday work? In this article, Simon Davies, founder of CleanCert Hygiene, continues his Green Dentistry series, focusing on an aspect of the sector that has traditionally used highly corrosive chemicals. (1426 words)

Sustainable dentistry’ as defined by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare covers Travel, Energy, Waste & Supplies. Discover how current dentistry can begin to successfully address one of these four areas (Supplies), with a particular focus on its importance for Gen-Zs and Millennials. (1150 words)

Do you devour the vast choice of dental titles that arrive in your practice each month, or only flick through them? Either way, you’ll spot a recurring topic across dental academic and frontline treatment areas: biofilm.
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