Guidelines for Dental Offices during a
Boil Water Advisory

A Boil Water Advisory has been issued by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (NBPSDHU).  The boil water advisory remains in effect until it is lifted by the NBPSDHU.

The guidelines below are provided to operators of dental offices in response to the boil water advisory issued.

During a boil water advisory

• During a boil water advisory, untreated tap water is unsafe for drinking or making ice, for use during dental procedures, and for brushing teeth, gargling, and rinsing dentures.
• For specific boil water precautionary measures which relate to dental procedures, please consult your professional college.
• Bring untreated tap water to a rolling boil for one minute to make it safe for all uses. Alternately, use commercially bottled water. Sterile saline and distilled water are also safe for dental and disinfection procedures.
• If you make ice in-house, ensure that it’s made from a safe water source. If you’re unsure if the ice in your office was made before problems began with the drinking water system, discard the ice and disinfect the ice cube tray as noted below (Note: this can also be used to disinfect dishes and other tableware).

Handwashing guidelines during a boil water advisory
Wash your hands as you normally do, using warm running water and soap. If the boil water advisory has been issued because of a waterborne outbreak of illness, wash hands under warm running water and soap or use alcohol-based hand disinfectants containing a minimum concentration of 60% alcohol. These products are widely used in health care settings after washing or in situations when water is not available.

After the boil water advisory has been lifted

• Disconnect, clean and disinfect the x-ray processor. Contact the manufacturer for advice regarding appropriate disinfection measures.
• Consult your facilities engineer or the equipment manufacturer, or refer to the manufacturer’s operating manual prior to turning on the water supply and re-staring dental units. Procedures may vary, but normally flushing the unit for at least one minute is a minimum recommendation. Some units may require a disinfection rinse.
• Run cold water faucets and drinking water fountains for one minute before using the water.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle. Drain and refill hot water heaters.

Please also see the latest version of Infection Control Guidelines in Dental Offices on the RCDSO’s website: www.rcdso.org/pdf/guidelines/infect_control.pdf.

For more information, call the Health Unit at (705) 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808, or visit www.healthunit.biz.

Updated July 2009