Title: Explain maintenance of the dental unit waterline (DUWL).
Course: Dental Careers I (14054-I) > Section: Performing Infection-Control Techniques

Explanation should include

- identifying the two primary sources of microorganisms in dental unit water as the public water supply and saliva that may be retracted into the waterline through a process called backflow
- identifying risks due to bacterial contamination of the DUWL
- describing methods for reducing bacterial contamination of the DUWL and monitoring bacterial load
- listing the CDC recommendations for the DUWL, biofilm, and water quality testing to determine acceptable levels of microbes in DUWL.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the two primary sources of microorganisms in a DUWL?
- Where is biofilm found?
- How can biofilm be eliminated?
- What precautions should one take when selecting a chemical for the dental unit?