When it comes to any equipment or technology in the dental practice, it is crucial to choose wisely to ensure the best outcomes. Not only will your solutions be the key to optimising your daily workflows, allowing the team to deliver safe and effective dental care to patients, but they will also have a considerable impact on your business performance and profitability. Decontamination equipment, in particular, has a significant impact on the practice, the team and patients. Selecting both appropriate and high-quality brands is, therefore, paramount to the success and safety standards maintained across the practice.
Selection checklist: autoclave
The most important piece of infection control equipment is the autoclave. Mandatory for all dental care providers as per HTM 01-05 and SHTM 01-05 regulations, the autoclave delivers the sterilisation of instruments, rendering them safe for reuse. When choosing the right machine for your practice, consider the following:
- Size and capacity – the chamber must be large enough to accommodate an appropriate number and size of instruments for your surgeries. Too big and you will waste energy and water, too small and your appointments could be delayed while waiting for safe instruments.
- Type – an ‘N’ type autoclave is ideal for sterilising unwrapped solid reusable instruments, while a ‘B’ type autoclave is required for processing hollow instruments, implant kits, unwrapped solid instruments and wrapped/pouched instruments. As such, it is crucial that your autoclave is capable of correctly sterilising the instruments you use.
- Cycle time – this will be relevant alongside the size of the machine as practices need to know that their instruments will be ready for reuse in sufficient time. Shorter cycle times also result in reduced water and energy use.
- Ease of use – the equipment needs to be intuitive enough that all relevant members of the team can operate it correctly throughout the day.
- Durability – you need your autoclave to withstand the rigours of practice life without breaking down or malfunctioning, which costs time and money.
Selection checklist: washer disinfector
For all dental practices in England and Wales working towards best practice, a washer disinfector is a necessary piece of equipment. This is already mandatory for practices in Scotland. Not only does the washer disinfector provide automated and validated cleaning and disinfection of instruments prior to sterilisation, but it does so while increasing workflow efficiency and staff safety. To optimise your investment, several factors must be taken into account. Many of these are similar to those listed above for autoclaves, though there are others:
- Water and energy efficiency – selecting equipment that promotes these will support the practice’s green credentials and save money in the long-run.
- Physical design – there are both underbench and countertop options available on the market. Choosing the solution that best fits within the practice will be important.
Selection checklist: supplier
With both autoclaves and washer disinfectors – as well as any other decontamination equipment you are investing in – it is crucial to consider the what and the who. That means sourcing products from a supplier you can trust to deliver quality equipment and long-term maintenance support. Though there are many different criteria, here are some of the most important:
- Quality and longevity of equipment – the chosen supplier must provide products that perform effectively and reliably to ensure that infection control processes are completed correctly.
- Regulatory and sector-specific knowledge – you’ll want to work with a team that understands dentistry and the exact requirements you have to comply with as a dental practice. This will ensure the advice and guidance you receive is relevant to your business.
- Service and support – working with a team that provides ongoing support is the best way to ensure you can fully maximise on your equipment’s features and benefits. A supplier that combines this with equipment maintenance, servicing and validation as part of their service contracts will provide even greater value for your investment.
- Team training – leading suppliers will also provide equipment training for appropriate practice team members upon installation, which is accredited Enhanced CPD.
Decisions, decisions
If the time has come to upgrade your decontamination equipment, or if you are kitting out a new practice, choosing the right equipment and supplier is essential. Each decontamination solution developed by Eschmann is supported by the comprehensive Care & Cover servicing and maintenance programme. This includes unlimited breakdown cover, Annual Validation and Pressure Vessel Testing (PSSR2000) Certification by a trusted Eschmann engineer, unlimited original manufacturer parts and Enhanced CPD User Training.
No matter whether you need one piece of equipment or a full suite of infection control solutions, make your decision carefully. The right choice will make a huge difference to your business in the long-term.
References available on request.
For more information visit www.eschmann.co.uk