A UK dental practice has a legal duty to identify, assess, and control the risk of Legionella.
This involves carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, implementing a written control scheme, and keeping appropriate records to protect patients, staff, and visitors.
Designed Around How Dental Practices Really Work
Dental water systems are more complex than most commercial buildings. A compliant assessment must consider:
- Domestic hot and cold water systems
- Dental Unit Water Lines (DUWLs)
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems
- Aerosol exposure from routine clinical activity
- Staff, patient, and visitor susceptibility
We assess how water is used, not just how it’s installed — a key expectation of both the Health and Safety Executive and the Care Quality Commission.
Legionnaire’s Disease
Legionella is treated as a high-risk hazard in dental practices because it can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia that spreads through inhalation of contaminated water aerosols.
Legislation stems from the multiple fatal outbreaks in the 70’s. The most notable was an outbreak in 1976 that killed 29 people.
The Approved Code of Practice (ACoP L8) was introduced and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive in the late 1980s.
The early 1990s saw the introduction of mandatory risk assessment, control schemes, and ongoing monitoring for any premises where water systems could generate inhalable aerosols.
What Our Legionella Assessments Deliver
✔ A Clear, Defensible Risk Picture
- System type and complexity
- Population and vulnerability risk
- Proliferation risk within systems
- Aerosol exposure from dental procedures
- Management and control effectiveness
✔ Practical, Prioritised Actions
- Clearly ranked recommendations
- Timescales aligned with regulatory expectations
- Identification of what must be done now vs what can be planned
- Clear distinction between legal duties and best practice
✔ Inspection-Ready Reporting
- Fully compliant with ACoP L8
- Aligned to HSG274 Parts 2 & 3
- Integrated with HTM 01-05 for dental environments
- Written in clear, professional language inspectors understand
Beyond the Paperwork: Real-World Risk Control
Legionella risk can’t be eliminated, but it can be controlled.
We help you:
- Understand where real risks sit (not just theoretical ones)
- Improve monitoring and record-keeping where gaps exist
- Reduce exposure without disrupting clinical activity
- Show continuous improvement over time
This is especially critical where DUWLs, RO systems, or historic record gaps are present, common findings in dental practices.
Confidence for Practice Owners and Managers
When inspectors ask:
“How do you know your Legionella risks are under control?”
You’ll be able to show:
- A current, site-specific assessment
- Clear responsibilities
- Evidence of monitoring and review
- Actions taken, and actions closed
That’s the difference between compliance and confidence.