• Water should not be delivered to patients through the dental unit, ultrasonic scaler, or other dental equipment

that uses the public water system. This restriction does not apply if the water source is isolated from the municipal

water system (e.g., a separate water reservoir or other water treatment device cleared for marketing by FDA).

 

• Patients should rinse with bottled or distilled water until the boil-water advisory has been cancelled.

 

• During these advisory periods, tap water should not be used to dilute germicides or for hand hygiene unless

the water has been brought to a rolling boil for >1 minute and cooled before use.1,4-6

 

• For hand hygiene, antimicrobial products that do not require water (e.g., alcohol-based hand rubs) can be

used until the boil-water notice is cancelled. If hands are visibly contaminated, bottled water and soap should be used

for handwashing; if bottled water is not immediately available, an antiseptic towelette should be used.