ProEdge Water Testing
Accuracy & Reliability
Dedicated to Gold-Standard Testing & Laboratory Methods
Testing Accuracy is Paramount
A scientific test must be proven, impartial, and reliable. Since the beginning, ProEdge has worked with leading water testing, microbiology, and dental infection control experts to develop the most dependable dental water testing methods available.
And that’s because we know you’re relying on us to provide your practice with accurate and actionable results. We take that responsibility seriously.
After hundreds of thousands of tests and supporting the latest waterline research, we’ve learned how impactful accurate testing can be to a practice’s infection control compliance. ProEdge Dental Water Labs is dedicated to gold-standard testing and laboratory methods that provide the most accurate waterline testing available in dentistry.
Water Testing Methods
R2A Testing Method
› All our tests utilize R2A Agar Hetertrophic Plate Count methods (EPA’s Section 9215C in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 23rd Edition)
› Hetertrophic Plate Count – Formerly known as the standard plate count. A culture method for estimating the number of live heterotrophic bacteria in water. (Source: US Environmental Protection Agency. Fed. Regist. 54(124): 27486–27541.)
› R2A is recommended by OSAP (The Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention) in their white paper and recommendations on Dental Unit Water Quality
› R2A is recommended by multiple dental studies & by multiple dental infection control experts (See R2A Agar Testing Method Studies & Research below)
› R2A was required by Orange County Health Department in aftermath of Anaheim, California outbreak.
› ProEdge incubates samples on R2A for 7 days in accordance with the EPA’s Section 9215C in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 23rd Edition. Longer incubation periods, also recommended by OSAP, allow for more accurate plate reading and colony forming unit counts.
Neutralization of Water Samples
› Most dental professionals utilize antimicrobials to regularly treat their waterlines
› Without neutralization, these antimicrobials destroy bacteria during the incubation process, and lead to inaccurate results
› Neutralization nullifies the presence of antimicrobials in water samples (i.e. eliminates the opportunity for further disinfection during incubation)
Sample Vortexing
› During shipment of sample vials to a laboratory, bacteria can settle inside a sample
› Vortexing is the process of shaking the vial to create a homogenized sample that avoids over/under measurement of colony forming units
OSAP Recommendations on Waterline Testing
› “When using a laboratory testing service, users should request that water be tested using the most current version of the spread plate R2A agar method (9215C)…”
› “Laboratory testing using standard agar plate test methods can provide more accurate counts than in-office test kits and provide better baseline measures and provide an external validation of in-office monitoring program.”
› “OSAP recommends that periodic monitoring (testing) and inspection should be performed at least monthly on each dental unit or device following installation of treatment devices or initiation of new protocols. If monitoring results indicate that water quality is acceptable for two consecutive monthly cycles, the frequency of testing may be reduced, but should not be less than every three months.”
R2A Agar Testing Method Studies & Research
› Evaluation of 3 dental unit waterline contamination testing methods: Dr. Nuala Porteous, BDS, MPH, associate professor, Yuyu Sun, PhD, associate professor, and Mr. John Schoolfield, MS, Schoolfield is a consultant biostatistician
› Measuring the Validity of Several Dental Unit Waterline Test Methods and the Effectiveness of Continuous and Intermittent Iodine-Based Cleaner: Presented to the Faculty of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Community Dentistry In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Certificate in Dental Public Health By Joseph A. Bartoloni, DMD, MPH
› Evaluation of In-Office Dental Unit Waterline Testing: Stephanie S. Momeni, MS, MBA; Nancy Tomlin, RDH; John D. Ruby, DMD, PhD; Ananda P. Dasanayake, BDS, MPH, PhD
›Dentistry — Test methods for dental unit waterline biofilm treatment: International Organization for Standardization
Laboratory Quality Checks
Duplicate Testing
› Every sample vial undergoes two tests to ensure proper functioning of equipment and no cross-contamination
Blind Testing
› Laboratory technicians do not know a sample’s customer or treatment information during testing
Positive & Negative Control Checks
› Twice per day, ProEdge tests confirmed pass/fail samples to ensures no cross-contamination & equipment functioning properly
Certified Reference Materials
› ProEdge utilizes 3rd-party control checks to ensure ProEdge lab testing maintains industry accuracy standards
Three-Level Approval Process for Testing Results
› Each test is reviewed and approved by 3 parties (lab tech, lab director, and safe water specialist)
Anonymous Data Reporting
› Treatment protocol data is automatically collected and compiled by computer from test results
It is All About Patient Safety & Practice Assurance
ProEdge Dental Water Labs did not begin testing dental water to count bacteria. We did it to help practices get the assurance that their waterlines were safe.
That way, they could focus less on waterlines and more on what they do best – taking great care of patients.
This is why we’ve developed simple water test kits and gold-standard testing methods. And it’s how we’ve become the most experienced dental water lab in the world.