Reference/Features

Management of Dental Unit Water Lines

5 mins read CQC requirements Decontamination/HTM 01-05 Risk management
Legionnaires' disease outbreaks hits the press on a regular basis. This article takes a look at the risks around legionella in a dental surgery and discusses how to reduce the risk of staff and patients contracting this often fatal disease

Legionella is a rod-shaped (bacillus) gram-negative bacteria that causes a form of pneumonia. It exists in natural water, such as lakes or rivers, but in small numbers that do not harm; however, with favourable conditions and nutrients it can live and proliferate in domestic water systems.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium. It is the most serious and potentially fatal of the legionellosois illnesses. Other less serious diseases caused by the legionella are Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever.

All people are at risk of legionella but those at a higher risk include those who are immunosuppressed, over 45 years of age (men more likely than women), smokers, heavy drinkers, and those suffering with chronic respiratory or kidney disease. 200–300 people contract Legionnaires' disease in Britain every year and the mortality rate is 10 to 13%.

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