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Flush water and air lines
Also called: flushing
Run handpieces, scaler and syringe for 20 to 30 seconds after each patient.
Any device connected to the dental unit's air and water that goes in the mouth (handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, air-water syringe) should be run to discharge water and air for at least 20 to 30 seconds after each patient. This flushes out any patient material that may have been pulled back into the lines.
What you do
- Flush into the HVE, a sink or a cup, not into the air.
Safety and care
- Flushing does not remove biofilm; that still needs waterline treatment.
Related
Sources: CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17)