The Palmero® Foaming Hand Sanitizer is a latex-compatible hand sanitizer with 62% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) as the antiseptic ingredient. The bottle dispenses a portion of foam which dries when rubbed on the hands, reportedly killing 99.99% of bacteria. On the pump is a simple turn-to-unlock mechanism to control when sanitizer can be dispensed.
Dispensing Palmero Foaming Hand Sanitizer
Initial Insights
As someone with constantly dry hands, I appreciated that it didn’t sting my skin.
It dried really quickly and left no sticky residue.
The smell was very strong at first but it dissipated pretty quickly.
Keep an eye out for this product in an upcoming issue of DENTAL ADVISOR!
The 3M™ Versaflo™ PAPR is a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) that offers an alternative to N95 respirators. The air pump is worn around the waist and attaches to a hood via a flexible tube. Air flows from the pump into the hood, inflating it and defogging the clear shield at its front. It is designed to keep the user’s face cool and allow for a wide view of their work area. There are two options for hoods/headpieces, with or without a shroud, and two sizes, small/medium or large in the non-shrouded headpiece.
Non-shrouded headpiece
Shrouded hood
Initial Insights
Compared to other PAPRs I’ve worn, this was much lighter. I didn’t feel a strain on my neck.
It’s a much more comfortable alternative to the N95. If I had to choose an N95 or this, I’d choose this in a heartbeat.
Position the battery pack to the side if you have a stool with a backrest.
I’m not sure yet of the practicality in a busy hygiene schedule.
Keep an eye out for this product in a future issue of DENTAL ADVISOR!
The Attest™ Mini Auto-Reader by 3M™ is an automated, 24-minute biological indicator reader with a new small footprint and just 4 wells. It is designed to test sterilization processes at 270°F and 275°F. A color-changing indicator on the cap of the appropriate biological indicator (BI) vials shows whether the sterilization device exposed its contents to steam. To test whether the sterilization was biologically successful, the vial is activated by “cracking” it with the handheld device and then placing it into the automated reader. In 24 minutes, it returns with a reading that indicates if the sterilization was successful; a “-” indicates a success, and a “+” indicates a failure.
Attest Mini Auto-Reader
Loading the BI into the sterilization unit
“Cracking” the BI
“Cracking” the BI
BI loaded into the Attest Mini with 24 minutes remaining
Negative result on the Attest Mini (Success!)
Initial Insights
The reader is very sleek; it looks like it’d fit in anywhere.
The process is straight forward and easy.
It’s especially important right now to know our autoclave is functioning, so having to wait only 24 minutes is much better than 48 hours or more.
I really liked the countdown timer; I don’t have to set any alarms or watch the clock.
Keep an eye out for this product in an upcoming issue of DENTAL ADVISOR!
The PatientsShield™ by MB Dental Solutions is designed to trap and remove aerosols generated during dental procedures. It consists of a clear, square shield positioned above the patient’s head by a flexible arm. A disposable plastic curtain is attached to the shield. The patient is then instructed to hold a suction cone beneath the drape to help catch aerosols.
Initial Insights
The arm stays exactly where I put it; I only have to bend it once and don’t have to readjust it. It was also quick to set up.
The shield gave me a very large viewing area and didn’t interfere with my vision.
It took some practice to get my hands underneath the drape comfortably.
Keep watching for this product in a future issue of Dental Advisor!
Cavex Oral Pre-Rinse (Cavex) is a 1.5% stabilized hydrogen peroxide rinse designed for patient use prior to dental treatment. The bottle itself has an integrated dispensing cup, which eliminates excess waste and allows for precise portioning of the 500mL of rinse. It is recommended to rinse for 30-60 seconds. It is currently available in Europe; coming soon to North America.
Initial Insights
The flavor is light and did not have an overwhelming taste of peroxide.
During use, there was a very slight bubbling effect.
The dose cup is perfect for getting just the right amount without guessing and wasting any.
I really like the absence of any dyes.
Keep an eye out for this product in a future issue of Dental Advisor!
The Lotus Disposable Prophy Angle (DPA) has several features that make it unique. The first noticeable feature is the clear material; this allows the clinician to have a clear view of the mouth and of how much prophy paste is left in the cup. Below the flared paste cup is a spatter guard that catches paste and fluids with each rotation. Every outer surface of the angle is dimpled to help fluids and prophy paste stick to it.
Soft Lotus DPA on upper teeth
Firm Lotus DPA on lower teeth
Spatter caught on guard after using soft DPA
Initial Insights
Both firm and soft options kept polish from flying around, and I could actually see it collecting on the guard. I even used different textures of paste.
I was shocked that there was no spatter, even with very soft paste.
The guard doesn’t get in my way at all and feels really comfortable to use.
I definitely want to start using this on my patients in the future.
Keep an eye out for this product in an upcoming issue of Dental Advisor.
