Infection Control and Waterline Safety in Georgia: Navigating Critical Updates and Evolving Risks (On-Demand)-Webinar Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Fluent’s webinar reviewed infection prevention fundamentals and emerging regulatory and clinical issues for Georgia dental practices.<br /><br />She explained that although the CDC Division of Oral Health was eliminated in 2025, Georgia practices must continue following the CDC’s 2003 dental infection-control guidelines. The Association for Dental Safety (ADS) is taking a larger role in updating guidance, beginning with dental unit waterlines; new recommendations are anticipated in 2027.<br /><br />Key topics included bloodborne-pathogen exposure response, antibiotic stewardship, measles and respiratory-virus risks, and the potential benefits and privacy challenges of integrating medical and dental records. She also discussed aerosol reduction, emphasizing effective high-volume evacuation, routine suction-system maintenance, and a bundle of controls rather than reliance on a single measure.<br /><br />The presentation reinforced core practices: appoint an infection-control coordinator; maintain written policies and exposure plans; perform hand hygiene and use appropriate PPE; reprocess instruments according to manufacturers’ instructions; monitor sterilizers with mechanical, chemical, and weekly biological indicators; and follow OSHA requirements for eyewash stations and chemical labeling.<br /><br />For Georgia waterlines, practices should follow the dental-unit and treatment-product instructions, test at least quarterly, maintain records for five years, and take corrective action when results exceed the drinking-water standard of 500 CFU/mL. Testing is also required after plumbing changes. During a boil-water advisory, use bottled water for patient care and oral hygiene, and follow local guidance before returning to municipal water.<br /><br />The speaker encouraged practices to stay alert for evolving guidance, review policies regularly, and use trusted resources such as ADS.

Keywords

infection prevention

dental practices

Georgia dentistry

CDC dental guidelines

dental infection control

bloodborne pathogens

antibiotic stewardship

aerosol reduction

high-volume evacuation

medical-dental records

sterilization monitoring

dental unit waterlines

OSHA compliance

boil-water advisory

CDC guidelines

measles risk

respiratory viruses