Water analysis for your dental practice - order test kit online now
It is essential that hygiene at dental practices is of the highest standard, and while this obviously involves complying with general hygiene standards, it also includes keeping the water in your dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) clean. The government therefore recommends carrying out regular risk assessments on the water in your DUWLs. A special focus lies on legionella, but the assessment of colony-forming units, CFUs for short, at 36 °C and pseudomonas aeruginosa is also important.
Sample can easily be taken by you or your staff
The water analysis for your dental practice allows you to independently coordinate your water testing because the sample can be taken by you or a member of your staff. With the help of the instructions provided, taking the sample is very straightforward and can be done in just a few steps. A courier collection service ensures your sample is delivered quickly and professionally to the lab.
Water analysis in an accredited water testing laboratory - your sample is in good hands
After your water sample has been received, it will be tested in an accredited laboratory. You will receive your test report approximately 10-14 days after the sample has been received at the lab. This will be by email, or if requested, by post. The test not only reveals if the water in your DUWLs contains microbiological contaminants, but also shows the individual concentrations of these contaminants.
Water testing for dental practices: a necessity rather than luxury
Water at dental practices has to meet high standards of hygiene in order not to put the health of the patients at risk. During a dental examination or treatment, water is used for various reasons. Contamination of water in DUWLs can cause patients serious health problems. Due to the fact that there has been no nationwide concensus regarding the obligations of practice managers, local health authorities often have to be consulted. Regardless of official requirements and recommendations, annual testing of the water in your DUWLs is worth doing.
DH/CQC guidelines concerning water hygiene in dental practices
According to guidelines issued by the Department of Health, which you can check here and here, as well as recommendations by the CQC (Care Quality Commission), which you can find here, practice owners are required to keep the risk of infection during dental treatments as low as possible. Regular risk assessments are recommended, especially if there have been changes in taste or odour.
Even if the water used in a dental practice fulfils statutory requirements, a retrograde contamination of the water may occur. It is recommended that you routinely test the water used in your dental practice for microbes. The water in your DUWLs should also be tested for the presence of colony forming units. Furthemore, harmful bacteria like legionella and E.coli bacteria can be found in DUWLs. The water in dental practices should also be free of pseudomonads, as this particularly affects those with weakened immune systems.
Water analysis in dentistry- for patient protection
Dental practices use water for various purposes. From washing hands to cooling instruments and rinsing oral cavities, it is not uncommon for water to come into contact with open wounds. It is difficult to avoid the build up of biofilm in DUWLs because not much water flows through them. If contaminated water comes into contact with open wounds, this can lead to infections. Therefore dentists are required to guarantee the hygiene and safety of the water used for dental examinations or treatments.
Dental water analysis provides assurance - for employees and patients
Drinking water in the UK is of particularly high quality. However, users are responsible for the safety of their drinking water up to the water meter. Hence, dental practice managers have to ensure that the water in their practice is free of contaminants. Dental water testing is straightforward and should be done regularly, forming a key part of every practice's hygiene regime.
Attention:
Please note that each treatment unit should be tested separately. If you have several treatment units, please add the corresponding amount of kits to the basket.
If you would like to have the tap water in your dental practice tested as well, we recommend taking a look at our range of consumer-oriented water testing kits.