Products to see at UOR: The 2017 dental hygiene conference offered a first look at some new products

By Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH

Prophy pen sets you free

Prophy Magic will be launching the new FreeStyle Prophy system next month at RDH Under One Roof. The FreeStyle system offers cord-free access and freedom from expensive angles since you can use the brand of your choice (see photo). Of course, all the Prophy Magic angles work well with the FreeStyle, including the new Comfort Contra Angle that offers greater reach, access, visibility, and comfort.

The FreeStyle Prophy system retails for $749 and includes:

• The cordless handpiece
• Works with any prophy angle
• Internal rechargeable battery
• Push button rheostat
• 100 disposable sleeves
• Charging base

The new Comfort Contra Angle features:

• Back bend for reduced wrist strain
• Designed to access hard to reach areas
• Ergonomic grip reduces hand fatigue
• 100% latex-free cups
• Improved flaring for subgingival access
• Available in soft, firm and mystic cups. Mystic cups feature diamond-shaped ridges on outer surface for improved interproximal and lingual cleaning
• Smooth running without overheating
• Counter-clockwise ribbing and webbing to reduce splatter

Prophy Magic angles are rated excellent across the board by Gordon Christensen’s Clinicians Report. Be sure to drop by the Prophy Magic booth at UOR to meet the Prophy King, Brian Shea and check out these two great new products. Or visit prophymagic.com for more information.

Reducing Cord Drag

It’s always a pleasure to write about an innovative product that’s been developed by a fellow dental hygiene colleague. I’d like you to meet Debi Dencek, RDH, BS, founder and inventor of CordEze. Debi is passionate about helping clinicians employ proper ergonomics and avoid work-related injuries.

Debi received the Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH) award for six years of dedication with John C. Lincoln’s Desert Mission Children’s Dental Clinic. Debi participates each year in the Arizona Mission of Mercy dental event, and she currently serves as chairperson on the communications committee for the Arizona Dental Hygienists’ Association.

CordEze is a comfortable and easy way to manage your “cords” and reduce drag when using a corded scaler or handpiece. Simply wear CordEze on the cuff of your lab coat and slip your cord into the flexible groove as pictured (see photo). Once secure, the cord follows your wrist movement eliminating the constant management of flopping cords, saving you time and energy.

CordEze is adjustable, autoclaveable, and comes in black, white, blue, red, and purple. CordEze is affordable, making it reasonable to have several colors to match your mood or your uniform.

Be sure to visit the CordEze booth during RDH Under One Roof, meet Debi, and take advantage of the UOR special pricing, or visit cordeze.com for more information and ordering.

A Must for Ortho Patients

Released by American Eagle Instruments (AEI), the Boge 513 is an innovative, double-ended scaler designed by another of our dental hygiene colleagues, Emily Boge, CDA, RDH, MPA. When Emily designed this modified sickle/hoe scaler she knew that it would be almost impossible to sharpen. So she approached AEI to manufacture her design with XP sharpen-free technology.

This instrument features a modified anterior sickle on one end and a hoe scaler on the other end. The hoe end is designed for scaling areas of exposed root surfaces with fixed ortho wires. It can also be used in posterior areas as well as upper and lower anterior regions. This sickle end is a Nebraska 128 designed for interproximal contact areas, especially those with crowding and/or recession.

The Boge 513 won the Dental Product Shopper 2017 Best Product award. Be sure to visit the AEI booth at RDH Under One Roof and check out the Boge 513.

If you can’t visit the booth at RDH Under One Roof, visit am-eagle.com to view their wide variety of instruments and obtain pricing information.

Toothbrush for Millennials

In a Proctor & Gamble consumer study, millennial respondents said they wanted a toothbrush with a small brush head that cleaned well, and Oral-B delivered. The new Pro-Health Compact Clean toothbrush features feathered bristle tips. Each bristle has multiple cleaning tips that create an ultra-dense soft bristle field providing gentle and effective biofilm removal. The brush head is 25% smaller than Oral-B’s traditional brushes and has an ergonomically designed handle.

The Pro-Health Compact Clean toothbrush is available in stores and retails for between $3.99 and $4.50. While at RDH Under One Roof, be sure to stop by the Oral-B booth, especially if you are a millennial and check out the new Compact Clean brush along with their other great products.

Disposable Patient Bib

A study conducted in 2013 by researchers from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the Forsyth Institute showed that after disinfection 15% of bib clips had anaerobic Streptococcus bacteria from the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, and 5% of the clips harbored at least one bacteria from the Staphylococcus, Prevotella, and Neisseria species. This research begs the question: Are bib clips of any kind a good idea?

Recently Edalu Products introduced TapKin, the “no more bib clip” patient napkin. This disposable patient bib has an attached neck strap with an adjustable adhesive tab to fit any size of patient. Eliminating the use of bib clips not only saves time, it’s healthier for you and your patients.

“The inventor of the product is a dental assistant I used to work with. The entire dental team uses his bibs, and we love them, especially the dental hygienists. Having one less thing to wipe down makes a big difference in break down and set up,” said Shavonne Healy, RDH.

According to the company’s website, benefits to using TapKin include:

• Reduce cross-contamination by eliminating the need for reusable chains.
• Easily attach with strap(s) and adhesive tab(s).
• Strap can be attached to different areas of bib to accommodate to various patients’ sizes.
• Eliminates expenses related to reusable chains, disposable bib holders and sterilization and sanitation procedures

Edalu Products is veteran owned and operated. To order call (804) 803-3258.

New toothpastes introduced

GlaskoSmithKline recently launched the new ProNamel Strong & Bright enamel-protecting and whitening toothpaste. In addition, Sanofi Consumer Heatlhcare, the makers of ACT mouthwash, launched ACT Kids fluoride toothpaste for children ages two and older.

According to GSK, ProNamel limits enamel wear during tooth brushing by focusing on the use of controlled abrasivity silicas.

ProNamel does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate. It has a neutral pH and optimized-fluoride formulation that strengthens teeth helping to protect teeth against the effects of acid erosion.

According to GSK, ProNamel’s minerals penetrate into the enamel surface, actively strengthening and re-hardening weakened enamel every time you brush.

There are four different ProNamel formulations for your patients to try, plus an option for children: ProNamel Fresh Breath, ProNamel Gentle Whitening, ProNamel Daily Protection, ProNamel Multi-Action, and ProNamel 6-12 years for kids.

Sanofi Consumer Heatlhcare said its ACT Kids fluoride toothpaste features delicious bubble gum and fruit punch flavors that motivate kids to brush their teeth.

“We are excited to introduce our first children’s toothpaste into the portfolio of oral care products that ACT currently offers,” said Jennifer Cooper, associate director of oral care at Sanofi. “Our hope is that this new product will help motivate kids to brush and inspire parents to further instill healthy oral care habits at an early age.”

ACT Kids Toothpaste became available to a variety of retail locations in March and April, including select Walmart, Walgreens, and Target locations. In addition to the toothpaste, the ACT Kids line includes anticavity rinses that can be used after brushing by kids six years of age and older. For more information, visit ACTOralCare.com/ACT-for-Kids.

Probe Fearlessly

Dental and surgical instrument manufacturer Brasseler USA recently added titanium probes to its ImplantPro line of products. These bright yellow titanium probes, featuring precise black color markings on a smooth surface, are a great alternative to plastic probes and can be used on natural dentition as well as implants.

The new probes include the company’s lightweight handle, and three single-ended probe marking styles are available:

• Michigan “O” Probe with Williams markings (1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10)
• Marquis Probe (3-6-9-12mm)
• UNC 15 Probe (1-15mm)

“Our new titanium probes are both unique and versatile. Until now, colored plastic probes were the only alternative to stainless steel probes, but they’re not designed for long-term use and must be replaced frequently to ensure the accuracy of the markings.” said Brenda McCarson, RDH, BS, Brasseler USA’s national manager of hygiene. “These titanium probes are ideal for all diagnostic examinations, eliminating the need for different probes for implant maintenance patients, and have the same durability as stainless steel.”

ImplantPro titanium probes are made from non-heat-treated 6Al-4V titanium, keeping the Rockwell C hardness at a low 25-31 HRC and comparable to most implant abutments, then coated in bright zirconium nitride for superior color contrast. All feature Brasseler USA’s distinctive, lightweight PEEK (polyether ether ketone) handles for outstanding ergonomics.

To order or for more information about ImplantPro titanium probes, please visit BrasselerUSA.com or call (800) 841-4522.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions about products you would like to see reviewed here. Email me at [email protected]. RDH

KIM MILLER, RDH, BSDH, is the co-founder of PerioFrogz.com, an information-based website providing free current oral-systemic research summaries and patient education downloads. Kim is also a coach with Inspired Hygiene, delivering customized hands-on training. She speaks internationally, writes articles and webinars, and enjoys clinical dental hygiene. Kim lives in Arizona and welcomes you to contact her at [email protected].