Andy, your dentist is required to identify and assess potential sources of risk and establish a suitable system of control etc. There is no absolute requirement for "survey". You could perhaps point your dentist to the L8 ACoP (free download from HSE) -this will at least enable them to make an informed choice (and perhaps you could support them in making that choice). There may be a requirement specific to Dentist's Surgeries to take and send for analysis occasional water samples, however for most simple installations that is again not an absolute, provided there is adequate temperature control. Biggest risk is probably the water spray associated with the dreaded Dentist's drill.........

Hi Andy I'm an experienced safety professional with a background in Legionella risk assessment. Previous posts are in the main right in that you do not need a legionella survey but a legionella risk assessment. This could be done in house but you are right in the fact that the necessary competency may not exist in house. Dentists surgerys do pose specific risks with regards to legionella exposure. It is likely that you will need a specialist firm to undertake the assessment itself and you can decide what action is required from there onwards. In some cases the risks will be defined as low and unlikely to increase in future and if this is the case no further action is necessary. If you still need an assessment let me know.

Mr Grace Perhaps you don't go to the dentist often enough, or maybe like me when you do go you keep your eyes firmly shut and tremble like a 5-year old! On those few occasions that I have been brave enough to look around, you will see a variety of water sprays, water picks, aspirators, suction lines and spittoons all of which are notoriously difficult to clean, and which on occasions have been found to harbour species of Legionella. Much of the kit goes into the patient's mouth, and into the mouths of all successive patients, hopefully with clean tips but common hoses. Other transmissible agents have been found, but this is not the time or place to discuss those. I repeat my initial recommendation, to contact the local POCT Infection Control and Estates teams where there is expertise in compliance with HTM 01-05: Decontamination in Dental Practice. Contracting to other Legionella services, applicable more to piped and recreational waters and to ventilation systems etc are totally inappropriate in this situation.

The dentist ideally should have access to HTM 01-05 and HTM 04-01, both of which are specifically referential. Spaceforhealth is the web address for Health Technical Memorandums and the dentist's e-mail address if NHS will allow access. If private only, then may have to ask another NHS bod to gain access to the materials. PM if you want further details. Martin