Dental Assistants and Dental Waterline Safety: Why Education and Confidence Matter

June 10, 2025

The Gold Standard, Now Faster: Introducing Sterisil® R2A with FASTRead™

Marisa Fertitta on 23 - 06 - 25

Summary: Sterisil® R2A with FASTRead™ is a breakthrough in dental waterline testing, combining the EPA-approved “gold standard” R2A protocol with a premium early notification feature. Dental practices can now receive a heads-up within 24 hours* if CFU levels exceed the limit of 500 CFU/mL - allowing for faster remediation and confidence in the water safety for your team and patients. With this new free feature for Sterisil customers, compliance just got smarter, and safer. It’s about time.

Why Sterisil® R2A with FASTRead™ Changes the Game in Dental Water Testing

In the world of dental waterline compliance, accuracy and timeliness are everything. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dental unit waterlines should meet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory standards for drinking water (≤500 colony forming units [CFU]/mL of heterotrophic water bacteria).

For years, R2A testing has been the EPA-approved “gold standard” method for quantifying bacteria in dental unit waterlines. But while its accuracy is unmatched, results traditionally took 5–7 days to finalize—leaving practices in the dark for too long.

That’s why Sterisil created a better way to R2A: the new Sterisil® R2A with FASTRead™, a mail-in lab test that is processed and validated using the same trusted R2A agar method plus early failure notification if your water quality exceeds the safe limit of 500 CFU/mL after 24 hours of incubation. Samples still continue to incubate over the same 5-7 days to provide the final CFU count, so the best course of action to remediate can be determined.

FASTRead™ = Early Awareness, Faster Action

With FASTRead™, we want your team to know as soon as possible if your water quality has reached unsafe levels. That means you can initiate remediation or shock protocols immediately, rather than waiting nearly a week for final confirmation.

How to Use Sterisil® R2A with FASTRead™:

Submit your waterline sample following the included Instructions for Use (IFU).
After 24 hours of lab incubation, Sterisil’s independent testing partner, DentiSafe, takes an extra step to check for signs of bacterial overgrowth.
If over 500 CFU/mL, your designated contact receives an email and phone alert from our dedicated Sterisil support team.
Live support is available to help guide your next steps, if needed.

*Note:* Early notification within 24 hours of receipt of sample. Not all test failures can be identified within 24 hours. Final test results are available in 5-7 days on the My Solutions Center portal.

Gold Standard Testing, Zero Extra Effort

There’s no added complexity. Sterisil® R2A with FASTRead™ uses the same trusted mail-in process Sterisil customers are already familiar with. The FASTRead™ service is completely free with every Sterisil® R2A test and requires no additional work on your part.

It’s simply a smarter way to test—helping you stay ahead of biofilm before it becomes a real compliance or patient safety problem.

Pair It with FASTCheck15™ for Complete Confidence

Sterisil also offers the FASTCheck15™ in-office strip test, which provides results in just 15 minutes. Together with R2A with FASTRead™, these two tools form the perfect testing pair:

FASTCheck15™ = immediate water safety snapshot

R2A with FASTRead™ = lab-verified CFU counts + early warning if failure has occurred

This two-pronged approach gives you the agility of a fast water quality check and the documentation of a third-party EPA-certified lab—ideal for state regulators and internal audits. It makes it easy to establish and maintain an infection prevention and water safety protocol.

Why Wait, When You Can Remediate?

Biofilm doesn’t stop growing just because you're waiting on a lab result. The longer high CFU levels go unaddressed, the more risk you carry for:

Patient infection and employee infection that can lead to permanent health issues; even death.

Non-compliance with CDC Guidelines and/or state regulations

License suspension/loss, fines, and practice closure

Damage to patient trust or reputation

Increased time and cost of more invasive remediation

Equipment contamination, damage, and downtime

With FASTRead™, you don’t need to wait to act. You’ll have the insight to respond quickly—sometimes before your next patient arrives.

Benefits at a Glance

Feature	Traditional R2A	Sterisil® R2A with **FASTRead**™
EPA-approved	✅	✅
Validated lab results	✅	✅
5–7 day results	✅	✅
24-hour early warning	❌	✅
Free early alert	❌	✅
Live phone/email support	✅	✅
Comprehensive test report	✅	✅

It’s About Time: The Future of Dental Water Testing

Sterisil® R2A with FASTRead™ isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a reimagining of what water testing can be. Now, accuracy doesn’t have to mean delay.

Compliance starts with awareness—and early awareness starts with FASTRead™.

Get a head start on safe water.
Visit solmetex.com to order your Sterisil® R2A with FASTRead™ test today.

FAQs: R2A with FASTRead™

1What is FASTRead™?

FASTRead™ is a premium early notification feature that alerts you within 24 hours* of lab sample receipt if your CFU count exceeds 500 CFU/mL.

2Do I need to pay extra for FASTRead™?

No. FASTRead™ is completely free for all Sterisil® R2A mail-in test customers.

3Is FASTRead™ a replacement for final lab results?

No. Final results are still provided in 5–7 days. FASTRead™ offers a proactive heads-up so you can start remediation faster if your sample has exceeded 500 CFU/mL before full incubation is complete.

4What if I don’t get a FASTRead™ alert—does that mean I passed?

Not necessarily. Some test failures may only become evident after a full 5–7 day incubation. Always wait for final results before confirming compliance.

5How do I get support after receiving a FASTRead™ alert?

You’ll be contacted by email and phone, and you can also reach out directly to Sterisil’s team of water specialists for guidance: 1-800-216-5505 or sales@solmetex.com.