Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39701921›Full record

ArticleInternational dental journal2025

Mycobiology of Dental Unit Water: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Norbert Soboń, Kausar Sadia Fakhruddin, Lakshman Samaranayake, Nabiha Belkacem Remmani, Marwan Mansoor Mohammed, Thantrira Porntaveetus

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in International dental journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Norbert SobońMedical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Kausar Sadia FakhruddinUWA Dental School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Lakshman SamaranayakeFaculty of Dentistry, Hong Kong and the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Genomics and Precision Dentistry, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: lakshman@hku.hk.
Nabiha Belkacem RemmaniDepartment of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.
Marwan Mansoor MohammedDepartment of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.
Thantrira PorntaveetusCenter of Excellence in Genomics and Precision Dentistry, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Fungi present in Dental Unit Water (DUW) can pose a health hazard to patients and dental personnel. Yet, the issue of fungal contamination of DUW and their conduits, DUW Lines (DUWLs) has been poorly addressed despite a growing body of data on the subject. In this comprehensive review, we aim to address this gap by examining the diverse fungal contaminants found in DUW, the challenges associated with controlling their growth within waterline biofilms, and the various measures employed for fungal decontamination. The review underscores the intricate fungal ecosystems that exist within DUWLs and emphasizes the importance of implementing targeted antimicrobial strategies to uphold waterline hygiene. However, it is important to note that complete eradication of fungi in DUWLs has proven elusive, even with the application of disinfectants at varying concentrations, types, and frequencies. This highlights the pressing need for continued research efforts to develop new and optimized treatment protocols that are specifically tailored to eradicate fungi from DUWLs. Finally, it was notable that there are currently no specific regulations by any dental authority on permissible levels of fungi, as opposed to bacteria, in DUWLs. Legislation developed based on our findings can contribute to the standardization of practices and the formulation of effective control strategies for fungal contamination in DUWLs. It can also guide dental professionals in implementing regular monitoring, proper maintenance, and targeted disinfection protocols to minimize fungal contamination and ensure optimal water quality for patient safety.

Indexed as

Dental EquipmentEquipment ContaminationFungiWater MicrobiologyBiofilmsDisinfectionHumansAntimicrobialBiofilmsDental Unit Water Lines (DUWLs)MoldYeasts

Identifiers

PMID39701921
PMCPMC11806301

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.