Practical Picks for COVID-19 Protection
In dentistry, we have always dealt with splatter and aerosols, but now the stakes are higher with the novel coronavirus spreading through our world. I hope you are all having success in restarting your practices and that you are feeling a fresh joy at being back to work. This will be a long battle for us. I think that we are now forging the path for a new standard of care, and it is happening quickly. Before my practice reopened, I searched everywhere for not only basic protective equipment, but also equipment that was above average. These are a few of my favorite finds.
Aerosolized Disinfection
VectorFog C100+ Sprayer
BioBlasting
bioblasting.com
The standard disinfection armamentarium has always included sprays and wipes. Now, we need additional methods to combat not only surface contamination but also to actively reduce dangers from aerosolized viruses. BioBlasting’s VectorFog C100+ Sprayer is an easy-to-use dispersal system that uses electro-chemical activation to create two electrolyzed water solutions: an anolyte disinfector and a catholyte surfactant. When misted throughout a room less than 20 by 20 feet for 90 seconds or more, these two solutions can kill almost any type of microbial pathogens and leave no residue. The anolyte solution specifically is highly effective at disrupting the barrier membranes in microorganisms, causing them to rupture and become ineffective. The catholyte solution also has antimicrobial properties but operates to remove biofilm and degrease. The sprayer operates using a spray gun that anyone can use by just pressing the “on” button. All of this is to say that this sprayer is an extremely quick and effective way to sterilize operatories in between patients or at the end of each day.
Chairside Protection
ZyberShield™
ZyberShield
zybershield.com
If the face shield isn’t enough, or you just want another separation barrier, check out a ZyberShield™. This innovative frame was designed by a dentist to hold a sheet of plexiglass, attach to the neck of a chair and have functional coordinated tubing for high-volume suction. I have been most successful using this device while sitting directly at the 12-o’clock position for hygiene, fillings, crowns and endo. It is worthwhile for aerosol-generating procedures, but it can be tough to work around for oral surgery or situations needing direct vision. There are three knobs that can adjust to multiple heights, and these work well around most chair heads. The frame attaches to the adjustable neck portion of the chair, so if your model does not have a flat neck to attach to, you may not be able to use this product. In my office, we have some older model chairs — up to 25 years old — so I was only able to attach this product to five of my 11 chairs. I have also had a few issues with the original joints staying tight enough because the plastic threads will eventually strip, but that can easily be fixed by replacing the knobs with a bolt and wing nut, or the company can send you two-sided knobs. The ZyberShield is a little cumbersome — as is much of our new protective equipment — but my team and I feel much safer after we see the splatter spread across the plexiglass after a procedure.
Facial Protection with Room for Loupes
Loupes Shield
Ultralight Optics™
ultralightoptics.shop
I’ve always worn eye protection, but, since March, my entire team has begun wearing face shields, and the best I have found is from Ultralight Optics™. Its shields are designed specifically for dental providers and have the appropriate spacing underneath for any size loupes. While there are other options on the market with spacing for loupes, few also have a place on the exterior of the shield to attach your light. If you try to use a shield with your light attached to your loupes, you will notice that there can be reflection issues. The Ultralight solution to this problem is to mount the light on the visor above eye level. However, that comes with its own problems, such as limited angle of declination. The higher angle of light can also cause me to obstruct the light with my hands or other extraoral instrumentation because I am more accustomed to light projected directly from my loupes frame at eye level and aimed through the small window in which I am working. To deal with the angle issue, Ultralight has developed an attachment to drop the level of the light and provide a more in-line projection. So far, this has been working great. There is limited padding on the plastic frame of the visor, but I don’t find I need any because I have also begun wearing surgical caps. The face shield itself is detachable and disposable but also sturdy enough to be cold-sterilized and reused. My current shield has been in use for almost a month, and most of the wear and tear on it is from transit between office locations, not clinical interactions. I have purchased about 10 different types of face shields, and this has been the most effective for me.
Aerosolized Disinfection
VectorFog C100+ Sprayer
BioBlasting
bioblasting.com
The standard disinfection armamentarium has always included sprays and wipes. Now, we need additional methods to combat not only surface contamination but also to actively reduce dangers from aerosolized viruses. BioBlasting’s VectorFog C100+ Sprayer is an easy-to-use dispersal system that uses electro-chemical activation to create two electrolyzed water solutions: an anolyte disinfector and a catholyte surfactant. When misted throughout a room less than 20 by 20 feet for 90 seconds or more, these two solutions can kill almost any type of microbial pathogens and leave no residue. The anolyte solution specifically is highly effective at disrupting the barrier membranes in microorganisms, causing them to rupture and become ineffective. The catholyte solution also has antimicrobial properties but operates to remove biofilm and degrease. The sprayer operates using a spray gun that anyone can use by just pressing the “on” button. All of this is to say that this sprayer is an extremely quick and effective way to sterilize operatories in between patients or at the end of each day.Chairside Protection
ZyberShield™
ZyberShield
zybershield.com
If the face shield isn’t enough, or you just want another separation barrier, check out a ZyberShield™. This innovative frame was designed by a dentist to hold a sheet of plexiglass, attach to the neck of a chair and have functional coordinated tubing for high-volume suction. I have been most successful using this device while sitting directly at the 12-o’clock position for hygiene, fillings, crowns and endo. It is worthwhile for aerosol-generating procedures, but it can be tough to work around for oral surgery or situations needing direct vision. There are three knobs that can adjust to multiple heights, and these work well around most chair heads. The frame attaches to the adjustable neck portion of the chair, so if your model does not have a flat neck to attach to, you may not be able to use this product. In my office, we have some older model chairs — up to 25 years old — so I was only able to attach this product to five of my 11 chairs. I have also had a few issues with the original joints staying tight enough because the plastic threads will eventually strip, but that can easily be fixed by replacing the knobs with a bolt and wing nut, or the company can send you two-sided knobs. The ZyberShield is a little cumbersome — as is much of our new protective equipment — but my team and I feel much safer after we see the splatter spread across the plexiglass after a procedure.Facial Protection with Room for Loupes
Loupes Shield
Ultralight Optics™
ultralightoptics.shop
I’ve always worn eye protection, but, since March, my entire team has begun wearing face shields, and the best I have found is from Ultralight Optics™. Its shields are designed specifically for dental providers and have the appropriate spacing underneath for any size loupes. While there are other options on the market with spacing for loupes, few also have a place on the exterior of the shield to attach your light. If you try to use a shield with your light attached to your loupes, you will notice that there can be reflection issues. The Ultralight solution to this problem is to mount the light on the visor above eye level. However, that comes with its own problems, such as limited angle of declination. The higher angle of light can also cause me to obstruct the light with my hands or other extraoral instrumentation because I am more accustomed to light projected directly from my loupes frame at eye level and aimed through the small window in which I am working. To deal with the angle issue, Ultralight has developed an attachment to drop the level of the light and provide a more in-line projection. So far, this has been working great. There is limited padding on the plastic frame of the visor, but I don’t find I need any because I have also begun wearing surgical caps. The face shield itself is detachable and disposable but also sturdy enough to be cold-sterilized and reused. My current shield has been in use for almost a month, and most of the wear and tear on it is from transit between office locations, not clinical interactions. I have purchased about 10 different types of face shields, and this has been the most effective for me.