Abstract

A dental handpiece having a filter unit containing a filter that minimizes the exposure of patients to pathogens found in the dental unit water lines (DUWL) while promoting frequent replacement of DUWL filters, by providing a disposable microfiltration filter that is easily replaced at low cost. A disk or membrane type filter is placed in a disconnectable autoclavable filter unit in the handle of an existing design dental instrument such that the form and function of the dental instrument are not adversely affected. The components of the handpiece, including the filter unit, are autoclavable, making the handpiece with its filter unit both economical to produce and ideal for its intended use.