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10
May
Dental Patients Likely Receive Backflow
Today, most would agree patient safety is of utmost importance.
Unfortunately, on a daily basis we continue to see dental offices instructing patients to close around suction straws. Research concluded as far back as 1993 that patient safety is compromised when lips are closed around saliva ejectors during procedures. The CDC also provides us clear warnings about the risk from saliva ejector backflow.
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/questions/saliva.html
Studies concluded 23% (Nearly 1 in 4) likely receive prior patient backflow when lips close around straws. Flushing the lines will not address this problem nor will the cleaning of the valve components. Countless studies, education, and training clearly show the risks of backflow. Using a disposable backflow eliminating product is the only way to guarantee backflow prevention. NEW affordable backflow eliminating products are readily available.
Instructing patients to close around saliva ejector straws goes against everything we know for the past 20 years. Simply wiping valves between patients is not enough. Recent ATP surface testing displayed over 99% of evacuation valves failing when only wiped between patients.
https://www.rdhmag.com/articles/print/volume-37/issue-11/contents/is-wiping-the-valve-between-patients-enough.html
Ask yourself; Knowing that Dental Backflow is a proven fact, why do most offices continue to place patients at risk?
– If your patients knew the facts about backflow, would they want you to do something about it?