ISO 7494-2, “Dentistry – Dental units – Part 2: Air, water, suction and wastewater systems,” has just been updated. The new 2015 2nd Edition is available now from Document Center Inc. You can get a copy in paper format, as a pdf download, or as part of our multi-user Standards Online subscription service. The new update replaces the previous 1st Edition from 2003, which is now obsolete. It also replaces the ISO 11144, “Dental equipment – Connections for supply and waste lines,” and partially replaces ISO 10637, “Dental equipment – High- and medium-volume suction systems.”
So, what’s ISO 7494-2 all about? Well, I was surprised the other day when I went in for a routine teeth cleaning. My hygienist didn’t give me the usual little paper cup of water for rinsing out my mouth, but relied solely on her suction device. “Why?” I asked. Of course, the answer was simple. My saliva is classified as a bio-hazard! So this means that the systems in any dentist’s office that provide air, water, suction, and waste removal need to be designed for both functional and sanitary requirements.
You’ll notice right from the start that the scope of the document has been expanded (The title of the 1st Edition is “Dentistry – Dental units – Part 2: Water and air supply.”) The new edition is also 32 pages in length compared to the previous 16 pages. Between the covers, you’ll find that it is a complete overhaul of the document. The requirements clauses have been expanded from Clauses 4 to 7 in the 1st Edition to Clauses 4 to 9 in this new 2nd Edition. The new material covers Sampling and a Technical Description. And the other clauses have also gone through an update as well.
One thing to be aware of is the intention of the committee TC106 subcommitte SC6 (on dental equipment) to now work on requirements specifically directed to the microbiological aspects of fluids (my biohazards!) transported by dental units. You should expect standardization to follow for the prevention, inhibition, and removal of dental unit waterline biofilm. And other projects may follow.
FYI: Currently the ISO 7494 series consists of just two publications: ISO 7494-1, 2nd Edition, “Dentistry – Dental units – Part 1: General requirements and test methods,” and the Part 2 reviewed here.
If you design and/or manufacture such equipment, you’ll want to get a copy of this new publication as soon as possible. Order online at the Document Center Inc. webstore, www.document-center.com. Or contact our staff for more information by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We’ve been working with standards since 1982. Take advantage of our expertise by making us your Standards Experts!