Efficacy of water filters for dental chair units: assessment of the filtration action versus Coxsackievirus B5

INTRODUCTION: The microbiological safety and control of the water used in dental practice has a critical importance for avoiding cross-linked infections in the dental office. The aim of this study was to establish coxsackie virus filtration of the water applied to a dental unit. METHODS: A specific water filter-system was used, to verify the viral load in the outgoing water. The statistical analysis was performedusing the Shapiro-Wilk and t-Student test. RESULTS: The outcome of the evaluation of the virologic tests shows an excellent capability of virus filtration that attested 99.9999% in the volume analyzed. A statistical difference was found in the bacterial water contamination parameter before and after filtration. (P = 0.000000). CONCLUSIONS: According to the tests, medical devices applied to a dental unit are able to filter viruses and therefore reduce risk of contamination in the dental office.