Dental Practices and Dental Units
Dental units nebulise water into a fine spray during treatment. If the water is contaminated, pathogens such as Legionella, pseudomonads, E. coli or coliform bacteria can cause infections in patients. Regular microbiological testing shows you whether the water in your practice meets hygiene requirements.
Legal framework
The Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention at the Robert Koch Institute (KRINKO) recommends regular microbiological testing of water from dental units. Testing at least once a year is recommended.
The water supplier is responsible for drinking water up to the house connection. From the house connection onwards, the owners of the practice are responsible for water hygiene.
Our analysis packages
You can include both packages in the hygiene plan of your practice or clinic. This documents your own monitoring of water quality and helps you fulfil your duty of care.
Dental Basic
Testing according to the RKI recommendation, covering the microbiological parameters relevant to dental practices.
- Legionella spp.
- Colony count 36 °C (CFU 36 °C, colony-forming units)
Dental Plus
Extended testing for practices treating patients with weakened immune systems. Because of the increased risk of infection, additional testing for Pseudomonas aeruginosa is recommended here.
- Legionella spp.
- Colony count 36 °C (CFU 36 °C)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Further testing
We are happy to agree the scope with you, for example for:
- colony count 22 °C, E. coli and coliform bacteria
- water from hand wash basins
- checking water hygiene before a dental unit is connected
Frequently asked questions
Why is water hygiene so important in dental practices?
Tap water in Germany is usually of very high quality. It is still not sterile: it may contain germs or substances of concern, generally in harmless quantities. It becomes a problem when pathogens multiply to high concentrations in the water.
In a dental practice, water comes into contact with open wounds during rinsing. It is also nebulised during treatment and can be inhaled.
How do germs get into a dental unit?
Water often stagnates in the hoses of a dental unit. Bacteria multiply easily there and form biofilms, layers of microorganisms on the inner walls. Samples from each dental unit should therefore be tested for the relevant parameters, such as the colony count, Legionella and pseudomonads.
Who is responsible for water quality in the practice?
The water supplier is responsible up to the house connection. From the house connection onwards, the owners of the practice are responsible for compliance with water hygiene standards.
Neither patients nor practice staff should be put at risk by germs in the water. Regular testing shows you the state of your water quality and lets you act quickly if anything is abnormal.
Would you like to have the water from your dental units tested, or do you need further parameters? Send an enquiry