Dentists and oral surgeons perform many invasive procedures. Good practices to prevent the transmission of pathogens during dental care are therefore essential for the safety of practitioners, clinic staff and patients. These measures apply to private practices, dental centres and hospital dental departments. Discover how to master the internal disinfection of the dental unit with IGN / Calbenium, an exclusive solution with proven effectiveness.
Achieving “zero germs” in the water of the operating field
The design of dental units encourages water stagnation, and therefore biofilm formation and the growth of waterborne flora. Dental unit waterlines are mainly colonised by environmental micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi and protozoa.
Species commonly found in dental unit waterlines include:
- Staphylococcus aureus, often found on the skin;
- Streptococcus salivarius, commonly present in the human mouth;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, found in all types of water systems and well known for its ability to form biofilms;
- Vermamoeba vermiformis, a free-living amoeba widespread in natural and artificial aquatic environments.
This amoeba can encourage the growth of other micro-organisms and is able to host and even protect pathogenic bacteria or viruses. Because of the significant risk of contamination of water circulating at low flow in the unit's circuits, the dental unit must be equipped with a bacteriological water treatment system.
Methods to control the microbiological quality of dental unit water
The objective is to reduce the microbial concentration of the water circuits to avoid infections in patients and dental staff through ingestion, direct contact or inhalation of the aerosols generated by the air/water syringe, turbine, contra-angles and handpieces or ultrasonic devices.
Methods to control the microbiological quality of dental unit water include:
- Chemical products: disinfectants based on chlorine, hydrogen peroxide or quaternary ammonium compounds, for example. These are used either periodically or continuously.
- Physical procedures: flushing the lines, which temporarily reduces the number of micro-organisms. It is carried out at the beginning and end of the day and between patients.
IGN / Calbenium: an exclusive system to keep operating-field water aseptic
The IGN® (Infection General Neutralizer) combined with Calbenium® is an exclusive system developed by the Airel Quetin group to keep the water of the operating field aseptic.
How does the IGN / Calbenium pair work?
Dental unit water is treated by combining:
- An external or built-in unit, the IGN, which automatically and continuously decontaminates the water circuits and performs a weekly “bacteriological reset” of the whole installation;
- A disinfectant solution, Calbenium, whose components (EDTA, benzalkonium chloride and chloramine) were chosen for optimal effectiveness.
IGN / Calbenium: a global approach
IGN / Calbenium is a unique system that:
- Removes biofilms from the circuit and prevents biofilm from forming on the inner surface of the tubing connecting the instruments;
- Disinfects the water;
- Makes the water disinfectant;
- Destroys scale, so biofilm cannot adhere to surfaces.
Internal disinfection of the dental unit is fully ensured, and the practitioner, the assistant and the patient are protected from pathogens.
The proven effectiveness of IGN / Calbenium
To demonstrate the virucidal and bactericidal activity of Calbenium, in vitro tests and studies in real conditions of use were carried out.
Studies conducted in Strasbourg (France), Lyon (France), Tanta (Egypt) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), for example, confirmed the bactericidal activity of Calbenium and its ability to remove or prevent biofilm that can colonise the dental unit in use. Microscope images show the absence of biofilm and scale deposits, and therefore of breeding grounds for bacteria.
These studies showed that Calbenium complies with the following standards:
- EN 1040:2006: effective bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus;
- EN 13727+A2:2015: effective bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus hirae and Legionella pneumophila;
- EN 14476+A2:2019: effective virucidal activity against human coronavirus 229E, adenovirus type 5 and murine norovirus.
IGN / Calbenium is a Class IIa medical device compliant with the requirements of European directive 93/42/EEC.
Internal disinfection of the dental unit is therefore ensured by the exclusive IGN / Calbenium system offered by Airel Quetin India and Esquare: a certified solution backed by a scientific file and studies demonstrating its effectiveness when the protocol is followed.
“The effectiveness of our IGN® equipment is widely demonstrated: our long-standing customers include Paris public hospitals (AP-HP), the French army, dental schools and dental centres.”Thierry Rouleau, founder, co-director and Doctor of Pharmacy
