c. What are important characteristics in choosing
portable dental equipment?
Important considerations for an effective portable dental delivery system include:
Transportability (how easily it can be moved and utilized):
- weight and size characteristics
- ability to transport the equipment (cubic feet needed -- will it fit into your vehicle?)
- carrying case and/or dolly system (is there a built-in handle and/or dolly system? If not, can you utilize generic cart systems effectively to move equipment?)
- capacity to selectively take only the equipment you need
- ease of moving the assembled equipment
- capability of transporting equipment into various settings (e.g., up/down stairs, through narrow doorways)
- protective carrying cases
- protective padding systems for lights and other delicate equipment
- equipment engineered sufficiently to minimize need for frequent repairs
- avoiding need for repairs
- favorable relation of unit functions to weight and size
- dental chair allows variety of positioning options (e.g., height and reclining angle); movable arm rests to allow wheelchair transfers
- adjustability of operator and assistant stools
- convenient location of handpieces, suction, water and air syringe, and rheostat (foot pedal)
- dental light positioning flexibility for illumination
- x-ray unit weight, stability and positioning (stationary tripod bases are less effective than a concave base on wheels that facilitates better x-ray head positioning)
- portable delivery system layout matches available room layouts (equipment should be small enough and flexible enough to be used in a variety of spaces)
- ability to provide a range of dental services(should also allow for 4-handed delivery of care--dentist/hygienist and dental assistant working together on the same patient)
- unit provides adequate sustainable pounds per square inch (psi) for high-speed and low-speed handpieces (35-50 psi is recommended for handpiece operation)
- unit provides adequate sustainable cubic feet per min (cfm) for high-volume and low-volume suction (2.5-5.0 scfm)
- using the handpiece and suction at the same time is possible and does not cause a decline in the functional capabilities of either feature
- supports multiple handpieces
- supports an ultrasonic scaler
- supports fiber optic capability for handpieces to improve visualization of the mouth in settings with less ambient light
- supports air turbine, electric, and/or cable handpieces
- dental light should be quartz halogen-based and provide adequate foot-candles for illumination (should provide about 1000 ft candles at working distance of 2 ft)
- sufficient suction and water bottle capacity--at least 500 ml (larger size will decrease frequency of emptying the waste or refilling the water bottles)
- there is an adequate air reservoir to provide continuous sustainable power to the handpiece (1-9 liters with larger capacities preferable to minimize the running of the compressor)
- cleaning and disinfection of the unit
- flushing handpiece and waterlines
- ease of removing suction contaminates from the vacuum to the drain and disinfection
- extent and frequency of preventive maintenance activities (e.g., cleaning, flushing, lubrication
- ease of performing needed maintenance and minor repairs (e.g., replacing gaskets, filters, hoses, and/or fuses)
- on-site repair capabilities
- repair of more complex problems and need to ship components for servicing or repairs
- loaner unit availability from vendor when extensive repairs are needed
- time and effort needed to set-up unit(s)
- time and effort needed to clean and disassemble unit(s)
- compressor and vacuum noise--sound levels may range from 40-70 decibels at 3 to 4 feet (if noisy, check on compressor capability to be placed some distance away from the treatment area; oilless compressors are generally louder than non-oilless ones; check other variables such as air reservoir or continuous flow versus an intermittent flow design)
