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From Confusion to Confidence: How to Train Your Team on Georgia’s Dental Waterline Rule

Marisa Fertitta on 13 - 05 - 25

Summary: Georgia's new Dental Waterline Rule introduces mandatory testing and documentation, but many dental teams feel unprepared to implement it. With the right education and tools, compliance becomes second nature. This blog outlines practical steps for training your staff, meeting CE requirements, and using Sterisil’s SAFEWATER Solution for smooth integration.

New dental regulations can feel overwhelming—especially when they involve daily workflows and clinical safety. But Georgia’s new Dental Unit Water Quality Rule is more than just red tape. It’s a call to action for dental teams to prioritize infection control through education, systems, and teamwork.

The good news? Training your team doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right guidance and tools, you can transform compliance into confidence.

Start with the Rule: What Georgia Now Requires

The rule adopted by the Georgia Board of Dentistry in February, 2025 requires:

Use water that meets drinking water standards: Offices to use water that meets EPA Drinking Water Standards (≤ 500 CFUs/mL).
Test water at least quarterly: Offices to follow manufacturers’ instructions for use when testing water quality, to test water quality at least quarterly, and to test water quality within 30 days of plumbing modifications.
Take remedial action if an unacceptable level of colony-forming units (CFUs) is identified.
Log test results for at least 5 years, including the recording dates, the person conducting the tests, and reports from an independent testing entity.
Training and Education: Already in effect, but good to remember for hygienists, is that hours of the minimum CE requirement shall include education and training regarding infection control in the practice of dental hygiene, which shall include education and training regarding dental unit waterlines.

Understanding the rule is the first step to building an effective internal training plan.

Turn Requirements Into Training Opportunities

Every regulation creates a teachable moment. Here’s how to train your team efficiently:

1. Host a Teamwide Kickoff Meeting

Introduce the rule and its background
Explain why waterline safety matters
Review testing tools and recordkeeping

2. Assign Roles

One person can handle in-office testing
Another can manage logging and documentation
Designate a lead for mail-in lab test reminders

3. Use CE Credit Courses for Deeper Learning

Solmetex offers Georgia-specific CE courses led by experts like Dr. Marie Fluent, Michelle Strange, and Dr. David Reznik, among many others. These not only satisfy the requirement—they build real-world understanding. Sign up for email notifications to learn when the next CE opportunities are.

4. Leverage Sterisil’s SAFEWATER Solution

Break your team training into our four-part system:

Monthly: In-office water test
Quarterly: Mail-in lab test
Annually: Replace your straw
After Tests or When In Need of Remediation: Perform a shock treatment

How to Build a Training SOP

Create a simple waterline SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) your team can follow. It should include:

Test schedule and type (dates, staff roles)
Instructions for in-office testing
Protocol for logging and remediation
Product usage guides for straws and shock

Solmetex provides training videos and other resources to make this even easier.

Ongoing Support Makes All the Difference

Your team doesn’t need to memorize everything. Use Solmetex’s online portal to:

Track test history
Set reminders
Order refills
Get support from Certified Water Specialists

Navigating Georgia’s new Dental Waterline Rule may seem daunting at first, but with the right training, tools, and support, it quickly becomes part of your practice’s rhythm. By turning compliance into a structured, team-driven process—and tapping into trusted resources like Sterisil’s SAFEWATER Solution—you’re not just meeting state requirements; you’re reinforcing your commitment to patient safety and clinical excellence.

FAQ

1What should I do if my team is unfamiliar with dental water testing?

Start with a team meeting and use CE-accredited video training. Solmetex offers beginner-friendly options for hands-on learning, as well as full consultations from a certified Water Specialist. For some general tips, start here.

2Who should be responsible for waterline compliance?

Ideally, one person should be the designated Infection Control Coordinator, usually a dental assistant. However, training should involve the whole clinical team.

3How often should my team review the protocol?

We recommend reviewing the protocol quarterly, especially after any staff turnover or test failure.

4Are more states expected to adopt dental waterline rules?

Yes. Following trends in Washington, California, Maryland, and now Georgia, more states are evaluating similar regulations. Most states instruct dental practices to follow CDC Guidelines, which state that “Dental unit water quality must also be monitored, or tested, routinely as recommended by the equipment manufacturer.”

5What do I need in order to comply with Georgia’s Dental Water Quality Rule?

You need to use water that meets EPA drinking water standards (≤ 500 CFUs/mL, to test water quality at least quarterly (and to test water quality within 30 days of plumbing modifications) following manufacturers’ instructions for use, take remedial action if an unacceptable level of CFUs is identified, and keep a log for a period of at least 5 years (recording dates, the person conducting the tests, and reports from an independent testing entity).