In order to properly assess our patients and remove deposits, we implement indirect and direct vision with the help of our mirrors. My bosses’ pet peeve is having residue on the mirrors, so prior to her arrival for an exam, I always used a wet piece of gauze to remove additional debris.
No matter how diligent I was, there was still residual fog and scratches that caused her to strain her eyes during the assessment. Although I suggested buying mirrors more frequently, the owner of the practice was not in agreement. Instead, we invested in Zric mirrors and Mirror Magic antifog solution.
This product is designed with the clinician’s needs in mind, preventing fogging and buildup of debris on the mirror. I previously found myself using my piezo to clean the debris off the mirror while scaling, whereas now I no longer have to pause my scaling to do this. Additionally, Zirc’s mirror heads offer superior visualization that prevents eye strain. I have found my posture to be better because I am no longer leaning in to attempt to see better.
Implementing a brighter mirror, such as Zirc’s Crystal HD, that does not fog or collect debris will not only improve the workflow of the clinician, but will also help to reduce the overall eyestrain throughout the day. This technology can improve the patient experience as well, as procedures can be completed without multiple “resets” for the clinician to clean debris or remove fogging.
Mirror Magic can be used on any mouth mirror to prevent fogging and offers the clinician a simple way to remove debris during procedures. It comes in a variety of applications, and the swipe pads are extremely easy to implement. To use, remove a swipe pad from the box and place the adhesive side on the back of the hand, above the thumb of the nondominat hand. Then remove the liquid solution, placing a small amount on the pad. Face the mirror side down on the pad, and gently wipe it, pulling away from the pad. The mirror will be treated properly!
Our patients rely on our ability to detect their disease, and our vision plays a crucial role in the comprehensive treatment we provide. Struggling to prevent scratches, debris, and fog no longer has to inhibit patient care.
Amber Auger, MPH, RDH, is a practicing dental hygienist and clinical innovations implementation specialist. She provides customized protocols that allow practices to refocus on the patient experience and utilize systemic approaches to periodontal therapy. Auger is a frequent contributor to RDH and DentistryIQ, as well as host of #AskAmberRDH. She provides preventive services abroad annually and is always willing to have dental professionals join her team. She can be reached at [email protected] or amberaugerrdh.com.
