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 tools, and specific dental waterline training, 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
It’s crucial to have at least one Infection Control Champion in your office. Whether it’s a compliance manager, dental assistant, or otherwise, having a designated person in charge of infection control ensures your protocols are always up to date, your products are working properly, and your practice is protected.
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 Sterisil’s email notifications to learn when the next CE opportunities are.
4. Leverage Sterisil’s SAFEWater Solution
The Sterisil SAFEWater Solution is a quick, easy, and affordable 3-step dental unit waterline maintenance protocol that can be easily adapted to fit the Georgia dental unit waterline rule. Here’s what the SAFEWater Solution looks like in practice:
- Test: Test once per quarter with FASTCheck15®: a 15-minute, in-office waterline test.
- Shock: After you test, shock with Citrisil™ Shock (whether you pass or fail). Georgia’s rule highlights that you must remediate (and document your remediation) if you fail a test; you can use Citrisil Shock to remediate a failed test and for monthly preventative maintenance.
- Maintain: Replace your Silver Ion-powered Sterisil® Straw once per year to ensure your waterlines are receiving continuous, daily treatment.
How to Build a Dental Waterline Training SOP
Create a simple waterline Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) your team can follow. It should include:
- Testing cadence and testing type (are you using an in-office test or a mail-in lab test? Does your office test monthly or quarterly?)
- Instructions for logging results (are you using a paper log or a digital portal to log results? What does your state’s rule require you to include in the log?)
- Product usage guides and the manufacturers’ Instructions For Use (IFUs)
- Who is responsible and accountable for infection control duties
Sterisil 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 the My Solutions Center online portal to:
- Track test history
- Set reminders
- Order refills or register for product subscriptons
- Get support from certified Water Safety 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.
