Below are five infection control products and updates dentists should be aware of in the era of COVID-19.
1. Texas dentist uses laser as infection control tool
Dunia Korous, DDS, bought the Solea laser to alleviate patient anxiety at her Texas-based practice, according to WFAA. The tool does not come into contact with patients' teeth and replaces the dental drill. Convergent Dental, designer of the Solea laser, says the product's computer-aided preparation laser system decreases aerosols by 90 percent.
2. New dental devices stop saliva spray
Milwaukee-based Dental Associates invested in two devices that stop saliva spray and help lower virus exposure risk, according to WTMJ-TV. Dental Associates and its 14 Southeast Wisconsin dental offices now own Zirc Dental Products' Mr. Thirsty and Kulver's Ivory ReLeaf. Both devices suck in saliva particles before they go into the air.
3. Dentists explore UV light technology as sanitation tool
Dentists nationwide are purchasing ultraviolet light technology to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in their practices, but there are many factors to consider before buying the costly products, according to CNBC. UV light decontaminates surfaces by destroying the layer of lipids coating a virus. There's a variety of products available to dentists, including disinfecting towers, air purifiers and chambers for equipment sterilization. These products have been used mainly in hospital settings, so it is uncertain how efficient they will be when implemented in smaller dental practices.
4. FDA rescinds emergency use authorization for several KN95 masks
The FDA removed its emergency use authorization in May for some KN95 masks made in China after they failed to meet a filtration efficiency rate of 95 percent during testing by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
5. Detecting fake N95 respirators
Amid supply shortages, counterfeit N95 masks have appeared on the market. The American Dental Association released 12 tips to avoid purchasing fraudulent masks, including the absence of approval (TC) number marking, the presence of ear loops instead of headbands and/or the seller claiming approval for children's use.