Posts by Patti DiGangi

Recognizing that HPV is our number one sexually transmitted disease is one thing but deal-ing with the upsurge in oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC) is another. Most of us are still stuck on the traditional oral cancer screening, even though 70% of today’s oral pharyngeal cancers will never be seen with our eyes. Most HPVOPC lurks in the back of the throat, veiled by the tonsillar pillars and the base of the tongue.

Dental Unit Water Lines (DUWL) are used for almost every dental patient care procedure. They provide a cooling source from the heat of rotary drills and rinse away unwanted oral debris. Unfortunately, the DUWL can be a source of introduction of pathogenic microorganisms during patient treatment if not properly treated, monitored, and tested. Clinicians need to understand what a Colony Forming Units (CFU) growing in the water lines are, why the DUWL grow CFU’s, and various procedures that can be implemented to prevent them or remove them from the lines. It’s simple once it’s understood.