A game changer?

Legionella presents many challenges for dentistry. The legionella bacteria – and multiple other organisms, some harmless and some dangerous – can thrive in our water supplies.

Left untreated in dental waterlines these biofilms can multiply at an alarming rate, especially as the lack of light and plasticiser present in the tubing makes the perfect recipe for growth. Worse, water in waterlines can remain stagnant overnight and at weekends.

Bacterial growth in waterlines can be spectacular. Water companies are required to make sure household drinking water supplies have less than 100 colony forming units (CFUs). But researchers have found that untreated waterlines can have CFUs more than 100 times higher than the household standard.