Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes!  Another one of nature’s gifts is that there is an active disinfectant molecule that is highly effective at destroying pathogens (viruses and bacteria) yet is totally harmless for humans. This is hypochlorous (HOCl), an oxidising agent that is produced in mammalian white blood cells, that evolution has perfected to kill bugs faster than any other disinfectant yet discovered. AKA a biomimetic!

ALL disinfectants corrode materials after a period of time. The important thing to remember is a) not to exceed contact times and b) rinse surfaces prone to corrosion with water or with a dry wipe soaked in purified water.

Yes! All products have been tested to specified timeframes. Exceeding those timeframes could produce unexpetcted microbiological and material degradation issues on the surfaces being disinfected.

Further reading:

1. There is no additional bacterial efficacy…beyond label contact time. West et al. AJIC. Jan ‘19

A recent document published by the Centre for Sustainable healthcare highlights 5 ways dentistry can be called sustainable: travel, equipment and supplies, energy, waste and biodiversity/green spaces. ‘Equipment & suppliers’ section cites ‘reducing toxic usage’: CHL’s disinfectant range show the highest levels of toxic safety in all tests used by European Regulations (Article 95), including non-cytotoxic, non-mutagenic, no reproductive toxicity, no bioaccumulation, no damage to eyes and skin, no harm to aquatic life amongst many other tests- even in concentrate. All of this info can be found on your SDS (safety data sheet).

Further reading:

1. Sustainable Dentistry- how to guide- Centre for Sustainable Healthcare

Look for the following info on the product label:

1. Specific pathogens that are killed – either name or independent testing standard achieved (eg EN14476)
2. Contact times. Often these can vary widely between products

Further reading:

1. CDC – factors affecting efficacy of disinfection and sterilising
2. Modern technologies for improving cleaning and disinfecting- Boyce- ARIC ‘16 

OraWize+ is non-cytotoxic in concentrate, with an LD50 (lethal dose) of 7500ml. Most other mouthwashes and dental rinses are cytotoxic with much lower LD50 volumes. Therefore it makes sense on many levels to use a non-toxic product on all vulnerable patients.

No! OraWize+ does not include other ingredients or additives that could potentially cause tooth staining.

65-80% of chronic and microbial illnesses caused by biofilm. In addition, most reactive dental treatment is due to a proliferation of biofilm in the mouth: plaque, caries, periodontitis, gingivitis & endodontitis. Hence a mouthwash/dental rinse that is highly effective at destroying all stages of pathogens (free-floating and biofilm) is ideal for dentistry.

Further reading:

1. Biofilm and associated infections. Jamal et al. J Chin Med Assoc Oct 15

Yes! The EauFlow’s benefits include quick change (bayonet) cartridges on all 5 stages- this means anybody can change them in seconds. In hard water models, the blue Di (EY30810) can be done in minutes as well without any special tools.

Simply add together:

1.Dental chairs: how many in your practice (assume 1L bottle)= ?

PLUS

2. Autoclaves: how many units do you have in total (assume average 3L water reservoir)= ?

This total volume (litres) will tell you how much water you need at the beginning of the day and hence what RO tank size you need.

e.g. A practice has 8 dental chairs and 3 autoclaves: So they need:

• 8 x 1L for the chairs = 8
• PLUS
• 3 x 3L for the autoclaves = 9

• 8 + 9 = 17L of water at the beginning of the day. Hence our recomendation would be a 22L RO tank size.

Either:

1. Cartridge lights 1,2,3 & 5 are flashing on the display OR
2. Light 4 is flashing and your TDS reading is above 10

When the TDS reading on your inline meter is the same as the TDS reading on your RO unit.

Assume a 3 chair practice uses 5L purified water per day (so 5 x 5L bottles per week):

a) Bottled water:

• Generates over 78kg of plastic waste each year
• Requires dental staff to carry and store over 1.3 tons of water each year around the practice
• The financial cost is over £1150 pa (£4.50/bottle)

b) Distiller kettle:

• Only produces 1L of purified water each hour
• Up to 1/18 of each litre  of water produced can turn to steam in the decon room, making for an unpleasant working environment for busy dental nurses
• Distiller (750w) can cost over £340* pa in electricity

*making 5L/day, 5 days p/wk, 35p kw/h

c) EauFlow RO:

• Produces 12-20L of purified water each hour (depending on water hardness)
• Is the only RO system to monitor both organic and non organic water impurities
• Is the only RO system with quick-change (and tool-free) cartridges on all 5 stages, thus reducing equipment downtime in busy practices
• Tailors packages to your specific practice’s water needs, thus ensuring cartridge change once pa
• RO costs approx 3p* per day to fill up a 12L tank or £7.80 pa in electricity- over £332 pa (97%) saving pa vs distiller

*making 5L/day, 5 days p/wk, 35p kw/h

Calculations:

Distiller: 5 hours to make 5L= £1.75= £8.75 p/wk= £455 pa x 750w kettle= £341.25.

vs

RO: The electricity consumption per hour of the pump is DC24V x 1.5A = 36w/h = 0.036 Kw/h.  35 pence x 0.036Kw/h = 1.26 pence.  So running the EY505 pump for 1 hour (to fill up 12L tank)= 1.26 p. 2x for LED number display.

Calculate your savings with an Eau Flow 505 vs buying bottled water (5L)

Softened water has a higher level of sodium immediately after regeneration and then remains low throughout operation. It is suitable for drinking, although there is guidance for those on low sodium diets or for babies using formula milk made from softened water.

Softened water is not salty water.

In the UK, The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 in England & Wales, published by The Drinking Water Inspectorate, allows for a concentration of sodium of up to a maximum level of 200mg/l in water supplied to a property. Very hard water up to 400mg/l hardness would still be considered wholesome after softening.

The answer depends on if there is a chance that the softened water will be consumed either by those on low sodium diets or by babies drinking formula milk made up from the water.

• Read more about CHL Water Softeners
• View online store for Water Softeners

An electric softener automatically shuts off water valves and starts the regeneration process at a specific time.

A non-electric softener requires water flow (at sufficient pressure, typically >1bar) for operation.

You want to install a softener that is able to shut off the backflow pressure valve, otherwise you will waste a lot of water down the drain.

See ‘where is it best to install a softener in a dental practice?’ FAQ

As tap water passes through the softener, calcium and magnesium ions (which would form limescale) are adsorbed onto food-grade beads and replaced with sodium. Periodically, when the resin is coated with ions, the beads are washed with brine (salt water) flushing the hard water ions to drain and replenishing the sodium ready for the next treatment cycle. At the end of the cycle the softener is flushed with fresh water leaving the water wholesome and ready for use. The softener has to occasionally be filled with water softener salt (usually in the form of tablets).