In 2019, when a global pandemic hit, professionals in the dental industry starting looking for new ways to disinfect their tools and surfaces between patients. UV light technology has been used in large healthcare facilities for some time with great success. Currently, most dental clinics are not using the technology but trends are showing that it is on the rise, and for good reason. UV sterilization systems technology have come a long way in their functionality and convenience over the last decade, research and developments were ramped up once the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
UV sterilization systems fall into many categories, but the three most popular in the dental industry are the fixed mounted systems, portable systems and UV chambers.
The fixed mounted systems which deliver an ultra-fast UVc dose that will kill harmful pathogens without having to be moved or repositioned. Most systems can disinfect an entire room in about two minutes and address both surface and airborne pathogens. These systems can record and report in real time ensuring you have proper proof of any compliance data that would be needed for government reporting or patient concerns.
A portable UV sterilization system has advantages such as convenience, you can just plug it in and it will start to do its job of killing harmful pathogens and sterilizing germs. There use to be a concern of safety for staff and patients being exposed to radiation but with new technology and quality products that is not that the case anymore.
The UV chamber, where dental equipment such as oral mouth mirrors, tooth scrapers and tongue scrapers can be placed inside a chamber to be disinfected by UV light. There are not many disadvantages to this system, it can disinfect tools in bulk, can be done quickly and typically has a reporting system. Studies show that clinical-grade UV chambers has a 99.9% germ disinfection quality.
Keep in mind, if you are considering making the switch to UV sterilization system at your clinic, most systems do not wear out so it is a one-time investment. It also provides peace of mind knowing that you are protecting you, your staff and patients from dangerous pathogens.
If you have any specific questions about UV sterilization systems for your dental clinic, reach out to our knowledgeable team at sales@central-dental.ca or call 800-665-7302.
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