Legionella bacteria have been found in one third of 34 dental surgeries investigated by private certification firm Water Inspection Service. The research was carried out at the request of dentists with an eye to legionnaire prevention.

Legionella bacteria can cause legionnaire’s disease which attacks the lungs. A spokesman for the dentistry umbrella organisation NMT told the paper that dentists take precautions laid down by the government. ‘The risk is small,’ he said.