VistaTab™ Dental Waterline Cleaner Tablet is an EPA registered antimicrobial tablet used for the cleaning and control of microbial contaminants in dental unit waterlines and is registered for use in all states. It works by direct oxidation of the cell wall/membrane and/or oxidation of the DNA and proteins of microorganisms. When placed in water, the solid tablet quickly dissolves to create a solution of chlorine dioxide and is more effective than bleach, is not corrosive and does not create cancer-causing byproducts like chlorine bleach can when it reacts with organics.

Waterline cleaning is easy with VistaTab™. Simply place a VistaTab™ in a bottle, add 750ml of clean water and return the bottle to the dental unit. Wait about 1 minute for the tablet to dissolve. Run the solution through all of the handpiece, air/water syringe, quick disconnect, and scaler lines until half the solution is gone. Wait five minutes, then run the rest through the lines until it is gone and air emerges. Put 500 ml of fresh water in the bottle and rinse the lines. Be certain to have all users follow the directions for use included in each VistaTab™ and Team Vista™ carton.

The actual shelf life of VistaTab™ is technically three years from the date of manufacture. However, the expiration indication on the foil pouch is two years from the date of manufacture.

Yes, when VistaTab™ dissolves, it turns blue and then yellow. The water will be blue once dissolved.

The best way is to dispose of the product is by cleaning dental waterlines. If the product is beyond the expiration date and/or disposal is desired, check local disposal laws and regulations to determine the proper waste/disposal method since local waste policies vary greatly.

Guidelines for bacteria counts in dental waterlines are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the Environment Protection Agency. The EPA, CDC and others have established a standard of no greater than 500 cfu/mL for dental water. The ADA has set a goal of no greater than 200-500 cfu/ml.

VistaPure™ is a specialized water treatment system that produces two grades of water. One grade is ultra pure for use in autoclaves in the place of distilled water. The other grade is for filling independent water bottles. VistaClean™ is added to the bottles used for use on dental delivery systems but not to the water used in autoclaves. VistaTab™ is added to the bottle as a periodic antimicrobial cleaner. VistaClear™ is a specialized water treatment system that actually filters municipal water and directly delivers it to each individual dental operatory delivery unit thereby eliminating the need for independent bottles. VistaClean™ is used as an irrigant usually on a weekly basis. A few drops are introduced into the system weekly via an injection port for the same reasons it is used in bottles. A greater number of drops are used quarterly when the system is purged in order to help remove any deposits, films and soils that may be residing in the waterlines. VistaTab™ be used as a periodic antimicrobial cleaner as needed in special cases for tough contamination. See the VistaClear™ manual for specific details.

Currently, most other products in the marketplace are really only "irrigants" and cannot make antimicrobial cleaner claims. The only exception is Sterilex Ultra which is a peroxide-based compound. Some of the other products that do have an EPA registration can't make claims to control bacteria or contamination – they are only registered because they contain a pesticide (like silver, silver nitrate, etc.) Some products can only claim control of odor causing bacteria. If they make claims or imply that the water or waterlines are safer, they would be in violation of federal and state regulations.

One to four weeks is a generic time frame for purposes of the federal label on VistaTab™. In other words, they must do it at LEAST every 4 week or "as needed" which is also on the label. The only way to determine the frequency with any certainty is to do periodic testing (described in the next answer below).

We recommend that an office do periodic and random testing on a regular basis - at least quarterly. Test results will vary greatly based on the water quality used, the general maintenance performed, the age of the dental delivery system, if quick disconnects are used, etc. There are several in-office test methods available. One is the HPC Sampler by Millipore. They sell these kits to dentists directly. The cost is about +/-$90 for a box of 25. Dentists can see or order them at www.millipore.com or by calling 1-800-Millipore. Pall Corporation also makes a product call Aqua-Safe that looks much like a petri dish. This product is sold through dealers like Schein.

In summary, we've found that most offices get by with the daily use of VistaClean™ followed by monthly use of VistaTab™. However, they must have performed the "Initial Cleaning" using 2 tabs twice and be diligent with system care. Again, every system is different and results will vary.

Biofilms are aggregates of microbes with a distinct architecture. A biofilm is like a tiny city in which microbial cells, each only a micrometer or two long, form towers that can be hundreds of micrometers high. The "streets" between the towers are really fluid-filled channels that bring in nutrients, oxygen and other necessities for live biofilm communities. Biofilms form on the surface dental waterlines, contact lenses, pacemakers, heart valve replacements, artificial joints and other surgical implants. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that over 65% of hospital-acquired infections are caused by biofilms. Microorganisms growing in a biofilm are highly resistant to antibiotics and cleaners, up to 1,000 times more resistant than the same bacteria not growing in a biofilm.

Biofilms are microscopic communities that consist primarily of naturally occurring water bacteria and fungi. They form thin layers on virtually all surfaces, including dental water delivery systems. These organisms accumulate inside the thin tubes used to deliver water in dental treatment and grow into large populations. Water flowing from the dental waterline tubing into a patient's mouth can have high colony counts of these organisms. Exposure to these microbes does not mean that an individual will get an infection or a disease. However, if a person's immune system is compromised for any reason including age, smoking, heavy drinking, being a transplant or cancer patient or because of HIV infection, he or she may have more difficulty fighting off the invading germs. This is why the CDC has set dental water quality standards of no greater than 500 colony forming units of microbial contamination in water used for patient care in order to help protect patients and dental staff.

If dental waterlines are not maintained on a regular basis, bacteria and biofilms will develop on the inner surfaces of the tubing, blocks and other system components. They can plug lines, cause corrosion and create a potential health hazard for both patients and dental staff. Using a proper irrigant like VistaClean™ and "purging" the lines on a regular basis with an approved antimicrobial cleaner like VistaTab™ will provide improved water quality while helping to protect patients, staff and equipment.

The CDC does not recommend any specific brand or type of product but suggests that dental waterlines should be cleaned and tested on a regular basis to insure they are as clean as possible. The CDC has established a standard of less than 500 colony forming units per milliliter for dental unit waterlines.

Products used in or on a human (VistaClean™) are regulated by the FDA. Products used to kill or control a pest (bacteria in this case) on a surface (VistaTab™) are regulated by the EPA. Both products "clean" using different modalities.

Yes. Both products are non-corrosive and have been shown to be compatible with all standard dental unit equipment or accessories.

VistaClean™ should only be used as an irrigant cleaner. VistaTab™ should only be used as a periodic antimicrobial cleaner when patients are not present. Neither product should ever be mixed with medicaments or any other agent.

Hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present, then continue rinsing eye. Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice.

Call poison control center or doctor for treatment advice. Have person sip a glass of water if able to swallow. Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by the poison control center or doctor. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Always have the product container or label with you when calling poison control center or doctor, or going for treatment. Please refer to the product instructions sheet that accompanies every box of product for more information.