Dental Handpiece Hygiene with Aura Infection Control

The history of dental handpieces, from their inception in Victorian times to modern-day technology, reflects their indispensable role in restorative dental surgery. 

Today, these tools, ranging from air turbine-driven to electric motor-powered drills, achieve remarkable speeds, with some spinning at up to 400,000 revolutions per minute for efficient cavity preparation.

Challenges in Decontamination

Despite their evolution, the complexity of modern dental handpieces poses significant challenges in terms of decontamination. Laura Edgar, managing director of Aura Infection Control, highlights the difficulty: “Dental handpieces are required to be sterilized between patient use, but they are among the most difficult pieces of dental equipment to decontaminate.”

The contamination of cooling waterways, especially from residual blood and saliva, presents a primary challenge. If not meticulously cleaned, contaminants can be transferred to subsequent patients during the next use.

A recent survey reveals a significant knowledge gap in effective handpiece maintenance. Alarmingly, half of surveyed dental practices have never undergone handpiece maintenance training, despite its availability. This gap raises concerns about potential health risks for both dental staff and patients.

However, there is a positive shift noted by Laura Edgar: “There has been a huge increase in demand for our ECPD training on handpiece maintenance.” Fiona Ellwood, president of the Society of British Dental Nurses, stresses the importance of structured training for all team members, incorporating it into induction and continued education.

Aura’s Solution: Alpro WL Series

To address the critical issue of thorough decontamination, Aura recommends the Alpro WL series. This comprehensive system includes WL Clean for inner cleaning, WL Cid for inner disinfection, and WL Dry as a medically safe inert drying spray. These products comply with the highest standards (EN ISO 15883) and are approved by multiple manufacturers.

Laura emphasizes the reliability of Alpro products: “It’s the best product of its type that we have seen. What’s more, it isn’t a complex process, and it can be easily added to an existing disinfection process with the minimum disruption. It’s the missing ingredient in the processing of dental handpieces.”

The survey’s findings highlight a demand for more information on handpiece cleaning, maintenance, and protocols. Almost two-thirds of respondents express a desire for more knowledge, emphasizing dental professionals’ dedication to patient health and safety. As awareness grows regarding potential risks associated with internal handpiece lumens, professionals are eager to equip themselves with the necessary knowledge to address these concerns effectively.