GA Passes New Rule 150-8-.05 Dental Unit Water Quality

ByLandon Hilliard

The Georgia Board of Dentistry officially voted to adopt the new Rule 150-8-.05 Dental Unit Water Quality on February 7, 2025. In this post, the DentiSafe team has gathered everything you need to understand the new ruling and your options to meet the compliance standards it includes.

What does the ruling say?

As of writing of this post, The Georgia Board of Dentistry hasn’t posted the new ruling in their online Rules and Regulations, but here’s a copy of the proposed adoptions that was approved on February 7, 2025.

Rule 150-8-.05 Dental Unit Water Quality

A dental assistant taking a water sample from a dental unit water line.

Rule 150-8-.05 will mean some significant changes to protocols, testing schedules, and record keeping for many dentists in Georgia. Here are a few of the most significant details you’ll need to remain compliant in your water testing:

  • Licensed dentists are now required to test water lines at least quarterly
  • Water for all non-surgical procedures must meet the EPA’s standard for drinking water colony forming units of bacteria (≤ 500 CFUs/mL)
  • “Immediate remedial action” is required if a waterline doesn’t meet the acceptable level of CFUs/mL
  • Licensed dentists must now maintain a log of water testing and maintenance records for 5 years.

Of course, there is the ruling itself, and then the work to interpret the ruling. Many dental offices are looking for clarifications about what’s needed to ensure compliance for their water testing and record keeping.

We’ve received phone calls and questions about the pooled samples and operatory units specifications in the ruling.

As water testing professionals, we’re always working to help dental professionals understand the range of water testing methodologies available. It’s quite a spectrum (cheap tests for testing swimming pool water to R2a agar testing — the only method approved by the EPA to test drinking water). You can find more information about the best options for your office on DentiSafe’s FAQ page.

What prompted Rule 150-8-.05?

A string of Mycobacterium abscessus outbreaks around the nation included a recent string of infections in Georgia resulting in hospitalizations, surgical interventions, and a high-profile legal settlement.

One of the most widely publicized outbreaks occurred in California. The now defunct Children’s Dental Group may soon reach a settlement in the neighborhood of $100 million dollars after more than 100 patients became infected after their procedures.

The new ruling in Georgia will help ensure that stagnant water, biofilm build-up in water lines, and the level of colony forming units (CFUs) of bacteria present in water being used for non-surgical procedures is safe.

Noncompliance Risks

Mycobacterium abscessus is only one of the dangers that could be lurking in your dental unit water lines (DUWLs). Regular testing with a trusted protocol will also mitigate the risk of:

R2a agar test plate with bacteria visible after exposure from a water sample from a dental unit water line.

One of the hidden costs of untested waterlines may be the health risks of the dental professionals involved. As our video “If Aerosol Was Red” video starkly shows, the repeated, daily exposure to aerosol that could be contaminated with high levels of bacteria could pose serious health risks for everyone in your office.

And, of course, contaminated water lines, improper testing, faulty record keeping, and more could result in legal action from an injured patient.

Compliance Action Items for Rule 150-8-.05

So, what can you do today to proactively ensure your office is both in compliance with Rule 150-8-.05 and protecting the health of your patients and staff? Here are a few of the recommendations we’re making with our clients.

  • Review some of the most common water testing methods available for your office. There is a wide range in quality and reliability.
  • Download our water testing protocol template. It’s a great starting place for documenting your office’s water testing procedures.
  • Update your record keeping system for water line test results. According to the new rule, if you have “reports from an independent testing entity” those will also need to be included for up to 5 years.
  • Watch our recent webinar (free CE credit): “Would your water testing hold up in court?” to hear legal experts and a former Dental Board Lead Investigator discuss the dangers, liabilities, and best practices for protocols
  • Reach out and connect with someone from the DentiSafe team for a quick consult about your practice and protocols. As the only EPA-certified water testing vendor serving the dental industry, we’re uniquely equipped to outline your options for water testing compliance and safety.

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