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New Georgia Dental Waterline Testing Requirements
Georgia Dental Waterline Testing Requirements – Pending: Effective July 20, 2025
Attention Georgia Dentists: Important changes are now being implemented that affect your Infection Control protocols. With the new outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus in Georgia, the board has chosen to implement a new rule clarifying infection control requirements for dental offices in the state. Effective July 20, 2025.
Detailed requirements of the new Georgia Rule:
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
To take remedial action if an unacceptable level of colony-forming units (CFUs) is identified
Log test results for 5 years
To 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
Training and Education
Two (2) hours of the minimum requirement shall include education and training regarding infection control in the practice of dental hygiene, which shall include education and training regarding dental unit water lines.
Why this matters:
The Georgia Board of Dentistry is highlighting the important need for waterline safety, and is focusing on waterline testing as a critical step. Regular testing enables not only remediation, but prevention of biofilm buildup which is the primary source of hazardous waterline bacteria that reside in dental unit waterlines and instruments, and can result in failed water tests.
- Board of Dentistry Issues Notice of Intent to Adopt Dental Unit Water Quality Rule
- Georgia Board of Dentistry Meeting
- Rule 150-5-.05 Requirements for Continuing Education for Dental Hygienists
Take Action Now
1
Review and Update Protocols
Review and update your current dental water safety protocols with your staff to comply with the new rule.
2
Setup Testing Schedule
Set up your testing schedule and staff assignments for 2025 to include Quarterly testing.
3
Order Essentials
Be prepared with the essentials for your waterlines: testing kits, shock for remediation, and effective daily treatment.
Need assistance in getting compliant?
We’re here to help you meet these new requirements. Sterisil® products from Solmetex® make water safety simple and reliable. For testing, maintenance and shock, our products and protocol make successful compliance easier and more reliable. Sterisil has the only complete testing and maintenance solution. Let us help you pass more waterline tests, consistently.
Speak with our Water Safety Specialists today by chat or by calling 800-216-5505.
Ready to learn more? – Check out these new webinars!
The Importance of Dental Unit Waterline Management: A Clinician’s Guide
[Recorded Feb 6, 2025]
A leading infection control expert with over 20 years in dentistry, Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, brings her extensive expertise to help practices navigate Georgia’s new waterline requirements while ensuring optimal patient protection. Watch this informative webinar replay at your convenience!
Checking in on Waterline Testing Regulations: How Are You Doing with Compliance? A Clinician’s Guide.
[Recorded Feb 13, 2025]
Join Sherrie Busby, EDDA, CDSO, CDIPC for a complimentary webinar on the latest waterline testing regulations. Sherrie is an experienced dental assistant training developer and OSHA coordinator for Heartland Dental. She provides information and training on dental software, documentation guidelines, and clinical techniques.
Shop Compliance Solutions
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Lab testing made easy
Sterisil® R2A Mail in Waterline Testing
Sterisil® R2A bacterial tests utilizes an EPA validated R2A plating method to grow and count bacterial colonies in samples collected from dental unit waterlines.
Confidence between tests
FASTCheck15 In-office Waterline Tests
FASTCheck15™ removes the risk of bacteria growing to harmful levels in-between water sampling and mail-in test results. Simply the fastest, most affordable way to monitor water quality for harmful bacteria.
Remediation tools
Citrisil® Dental Waterline Shock Tablets
Clean and maintain waterlines to ≤10 CFU/mL.
No straw changes or dummy straws needed when used with Sterisil® Straws.
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Monitor Dental Office Waterlines
Log and retrieve water test results to keep your water clean and safe! Our online log of mail-in and in-office waterline test results make it easy.
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