Hygiene Tribune U.S. Edition

Hygiene Tribune U.S. Edition | June 2016 B2 By Mary Ann Rupertus, Sirona Dental Technology is one of the biggest invest- ments that a dental practice will make, and intraoral sensors are among one of the first tools dentists invest in before go- ing 100 percent digital. There are many considerations when choosing a sensor: size/sizes, integration, service and sup- port, return on investment, and cost. To protect your investment, ongoing sensor care and maintenance are critical right from the start. The most common reason for sensor failure is a user’s improper handling of the sensor and/or cable. That is why today’s digital intraoral sensors should be designed to withstand years of normal daily use. Sensor care There are many dos and don’ts that both novice and expert sensor users should know, some of which we will explore in more detail. Following is a quick check- list of what you should and should not do with a sensor. Do: • Handle the sensor as gently as possible. • Always use a new sheath with every patient. • Grasp both connector and interface when disconnecting sensor from interface. • Store sensor in a holster when not in use. • Disinfect sensor after each use with only the approved disinfectant. • Keep sensor off the floor at all times. • Make sure the sensor is backed by great service and support. • Use only the correct positioners. • Handle the sensor gently. Don’t: • Coil sensor cables. • Let cable hang where it can be stepped on or become tangled. Protecting digital tools: Intraoral sensor care and maintenance • Let the cable hang near a drawer where it can become kinked/crimped. • Pull on the sensor cable to remove the sheath. • Tangle cable during use. • Let the patient bite down hard on the sensor or cable. Ask patient to close gently. • Clamp a hemostat to the sensor. • Autoclave the sensor. • Soak the sensor. Using sheaths Always cover the sensor with the recom- mended sheath. Simply slide the sensor into the barrier, pushing it all the way to the end making sure that the upper part of the cable is covered. The sheath should fit snuggly to provide a secure barrier around the sensor. The protective sheaths are for single use only and must NOT be reused under any circumstance for obvious reasons. Reuse may result in patient infection or illness. Do NOT place a sensor into the patient’s mouth without a barrier and never use a damaged sheath. Please be very careful when remov- ing the sensor from the sheath. It is sug- gested that users wrap the sensor around their wrist away from their scrubs to prevent the sensor from falling on the floor, pinch the barrier off at the top and it should easily slide off the sensor. The most common reason for sensor failure is a user’s improper handling of the sensor and/or cable. That is why today’s digital intraoral sensors should be designed to withstand years of normal daily use. Photos/Provided by Sirona Dental INDUSTRY NEWS ” See SENSOR, page B3 A checklist of dos and don’ts ADHA BOOTH No. 216 HYGIENE TRIBUNE Publisher & Chairman Torsten Oemus t.oemus@dental-tribune.com President & Chief Executive Officer Eric Seid e.seid@dental-tribune.com Group Editor Kristine Colker k.colker@dental-tribune.com Editor in Chief Dental Tribune Dr. David L. Hoexter feedback@dental-tribune.com Editor in Chief Hygiene Tribune Patricia Walsh, RDH feedback@dental-tribune.com Managing Editor Robert Selleck r.selleck@dental-tribune.com Managing Editor Fred Michmershuizen f.michmershuizen@dental-tribune.com Managing Editor Sierra Rendon s.rendon@dental-tribune.com Product/Account Manager Humberto Estrada h.estrada@dental-tribune.com Product/Account Manager Will Kenyon w.kenyon@dental-tribune.com Product/Account Manager Maria Kaiser m.kaiser@dental-tribune.com EDUCATION Director Christiane Ferret c.ferret@dtstudyclub.com Tribune America, LLC 116 West 23rd Street, Suite 500 New York, NY 10011 Phone (212) 244-7181 Published by Tribune America © 2016 Tribune America, LLC, All rights reserved. Tribune America strives to maintain the utmost ac- curacy in its news and clinical reports. If you find a factual error or content that requires clarification, please contact Managing Editor Robert Selleck at r.selleck@dental-tribune.com. Tribune America can- not assume responsibility for the validity of product claims or for typographical errors. The publisher also does not assume responsibility for product names or statements made by advertisers. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and may not reflect those of Tribune America. Editorial Board Dr. Joel Berg Dr. L. Stephen Buchanan Dr. Arnaldo Castellucci Dr. Gorden Christensen Dr. Rella Christensen Dr. William Dickerson Hugh Doherty Dr. James Doundoulakis Dr. David Garber Dr. Fay Goldstep Dr. Howard Glazer Dr. Harold Heymann Dr. Karl Leinfelder Dr. Roger Levin Dr. Carl E. Misch Dr. Dan Nathanson Dr. Chester Redhead Dr. Irwin Smigel Dr. Jon Suzuki Dr. Dennis Tartakow Dr. Dan Ward Ad

Hygiene Tribune U.S. Edition

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