Interim Dental Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for the COVID‑19 Response – A New Paradigm
Course Number: 647
Course Contents
Equipment Considerations
Ensure dental equipment is maintained and brought back into service in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.2
After an extended period of non-use, dental equipment may require specific maintenance and/or repair. Review the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU) when bringing equipment back into service. Some considerations include:
Dental unit waterlines (DUWL):
Verify water quality meets standards for safe drinking water as established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (< 500 CFU/mL) prior to delivering dental care.
Follow manufacturer IFU guidance regarding the need to shock DUWL of any devices and products that deliver water used for dental procedures.
Continue standard maintenance and monitoring of DUWL according to the IFUs of the dental operatory unit and the DUWL treatment products.
Autoclaves and instrument cleaning equipment
Ensure that all routine cleaning and maintenance has been performed according to the schedule recommended per manufacturer’s IFU.
Test sterilizers using a biological indicator with a matching control (i.e., biological indicator and control from same lot number) after a period of non-use prior to reopening per manufacturer’s IFU.
Air compressor, vacuum and suction lines, radiography equipment, high-tech equipment, amalgam separators, and other dental equipment: Follow protocol for storage and recommended maintenance per manufacturer IFU.
For additional guidance on reopening buildings, see CDC’s “Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation.”13