How Dental Handpiece Sterilization and Repairs Play a Key Role in Keeping Us Healthy
When it comes to handpiece repairs, there are certain truths which are absolute: for example, a dental handpiece is either safe to use in clinical practice, or it is not. There are no halfway measures when it comes to sterlization or well-functionning equipment
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But what do sterlization and handpiece repair have to do with each other? It turns out, much more than many might believe! Both are critical for patient safety and thus must comply with a myriad of regulations. Furthermore, one can learn a great deal about handpiece repair and sterlization by looking at the modern history of dentistry and society.
Some dental professionals may remember a time―several decades ago― when certain categories of dental handpieces were sterlized using traditional solutions and alcohols because those handpieces were simply not made to withstand heat sterlization. This required dental handpiece steralization to be outsourced, and muliptle pieces were necessary to keep the dental clinic fully functional on any given day.
A critical and tragic moment in the history of dentisty took place in 1990 when young female patient was infected with the HIV/AIDS virus during a routine tooth extraction procedure performed by a dentist who carried the virus. This incident sent shock waves in the medical community and the dental profession alike, leading one North American body to suggest that handpieces which cannot be heat sterlized must not be used in clinical practice.
High-performing dental handpieces often have complex sturctures and have the capacity of carrying bacteria both externally and internally, as do the suction tubes used in every dental office. Handpiece repair specialists invite all dental staff to diligently review the maintenance, cleaning and sterilization instructions which come with your dental handpiece.
Today, as the scientific community continues its research into the appearance of new drug-resistant viruses, handpiece repair specialists are proud to play a part in assisting dentists and their staff in recommending maintenance procedures which are proven to protect patients and employees. If you have questions about your handpiece, just ask! You will be happy you did.
All employees working in the medical field must continue to earn the trust of their patients every day and with proper functioning handpieces that have been repaired by professionals with years in the business, you can be certain that you will enter your next appointment feeling confident your tools will work for you—and not against you.
When one tool is beyond repair, your handpiece repair specialist can also easily suggest replacements which they have in stock for you… so contact your trusted specialist today for more details!