Consultants’ Comments

• “The patients found it comfortable.”
• “Wonderful – very easy to use.”
• “Not as bulky – feels softer than most aprons.”
• “This is a huge improvement over aprons of the past.”
• “No negative comments from patients.”
• “Kind of slippery.”
• “Add grommets to improve ease of storing on hooks.”

Description

Soothe-Guard protective aprons are designed to provide protection to patients during radiographic procedures. They are available in both adult and child sizes in buttercup yellow and navy blue colors. A Pano-Cape and separate collar are also available. Soothe-Guard comes in either 0.3-mm or 0.5-mm lead equivalency. The “adult apron with collar” style of the Soothe-Guard aprons was evaluated by 21 clinical consultants in over 500 uses. All styles of the 0.3mm aprons were evaluated by our in-house clinic. This product received a 98% clinical rating.

Product Features

Soothe-Guard protective aprons were rated very high by most consultants. This product performed exceptionally well when evaluated for overall form and fit, durability, flexibility, and ease of cleaning. Consultants as well as patients seemed comfortable with the apron weight (0.3-mm version tested) and found the colors pleasing. Soothe-Guard protective aprons are offered with and without collars. Comments about the fit of the apron collar and collar use varied. While most consultants loved the smoothness and indicated this was the best lead apron they ever used, others noted the slippery texture made placement difficult. Some consultants suggested that the addition of a textured patient surface would be helpful to prevent the apron from slipping. Overall, 86% of consultants would switch to Soothe-Guard, 76% would recommend it, and 81% rated it better than their existing lead apron.

Clinical Tips

• Have the patient lean forward and tuck the upper flaps behind their shoulders to prevent apron slippage.

Editors’ Note: Lead equivalency is a measurement of the protection of lead from radiation. The thickness of the lead in the Soothe-Guard protective apron is 0.3mm or 0.5mm.

The original evaluation was published in THE DENTAL ADVISOR, Vol. 24, No. 09, November 2007.