Board of Dentistry Adopts New Dental Unit Water Quality Rule
On February 7th, 2025, Georgia’s Board of Dentistry adopted a new rule aimed at ensuring dental unit water quality. A focus on water quality, particularly as relates to water lines, has been on the rise nationally, and with a new case of Mycobacterium abscessus in Georgia, the board chose to implement a new rule clarifying infection control requirements for dental offices in the state. Representatives from Georgia Dental Association were present for public comment.
The Growing National Conversation
The Georgia Board of Dentistry is aiming to make dental offices even safer. Several outbreaks of Mycobacterium abscessus have been reported over the past decade. The worst, and best known, occurred in California. Of 71 confirmed cases, 70 were hospitalized for a mean 8.5 days and required surgical intervention. All cases were in children who had undergone pulpotomy procedures at the same clinic. This and other headline grabbing cases have prompted regulatory authorities to begin to act, and the trend toward regulating water lines matches a growing emphasis on preventing health care-associated infections in all settings.
In Georgia, the Board of Dentistry already had existing rules governing infection control. One rule (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 150-8-.01(a)) directs dentists to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, particularly as relates to bloodborne pathogens. Another rule requires continuing education on infection control with a special emphasis on dental unit water lines. The Board’s new rule adds an infection control requirement that mirrors existing CDC guidance.
What does the new rule require?
Given 2 existing regulatory models in West Coast states, California and Washington, the Board selected Washington’s as a base, and they chose to focus solely on water line testing. Unlike California’s more burdensome rule, Washington’s rule largely restates long time recommendations broadcast by public health authorities. The new Georgia rule requires dentists and their staff:
To use water meeting EPA drinking water standards (≤ 500 CFUs/mL) for nonsurgical dental procedures
To follow manufacturers’ instructions for use when testing water quality, to test water lines at least quarterly, and to test water quality within 30 days of plumbing modifications
To take remedial action if an unacceptable level of colony-forming units (CFUs) is identified
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
How will this new rule affect Georgia dental practices?
The rule is unlikely to have a major impact on many dental practices. Many practices are already testing water quality and addressing issues as they arise. They may have to adapt existing practices to fit the new rule, but complying with the rule should be an easy adjustment. Even for a practice doing no testing, compliance would most likely be low cost. For those who encounter difficulties with compliance, GDA is here to help.
Georgia Dental Association is Helping Dentists Prepare
One of the benefits of GDA membership is access to GDA Plus + Supplies. GDA’s supply company provides dental supplies to member dentists, often at lower prices than other major supply companies. Water testing and infection prevention supplies are among the many items available for order today.
To support our members during the transition to the new quarterly testing requirement, we're here to help with all your waterline testing needs. Additionally, you can purchase high-quality test kits at competitive prices through our trusted supply company.
For questions about the new regulation, call GDA today at (404) 636-7553. To get more involved in advocating for dentistry in the state of Georgia, consider attending LAW Day, signing up as a contact dentist, or donating to GDAPAC.
