14 products and services to help you rebound from COVID-19 (Part 2)

It's hard to believe, but there was a time not long ago when clinicians used their bare hands to administer care. That all changed, of course, with the HIV/AIDS crisis.

In COVID-19, we could be seeing a similar point-of-no-return moment but this time related to air purification. There isn't a day that goes by when a story runs in the popular press about the dangers of dental aerosols. Thirty years from now, we could look back at the 2020s as the time when practices adopted the same airflow standards as hospitals.

Suffice to say, there's never been a better time to add a portable extraoral suction unit to your operatory. One company worth looking into is Sentry Air Systems, whose extraoral suction unit removes aerosols and minimizes exposure risk to infectious agents such as the coronavirus. According to the manufacturer, the unit has the highest airflow and filtration efficiency on the market, as it utilizes ultra-low particulate air filters (ULPAs).

Sentry's extraoral suction unit will undoubtedly make an impression on patients as well. (Imagine posting a picture of your new equipment on social media and watching your competition wilt.) It's portable and compact, and it will help mitigate exposure risk to your staff and patients during the ebbs and flows of the pandemic.

Sentry Air systems is currently advertising with DentistryIQ and offering a promotion. Use code DIQ20 when on the site to receive a discount. To learn more, visit sentryair.com/dental-aerosols.

10. iTero Element 5D imaging system from Align Technology

In 2019, I had the chance to see the unveiling of the iTero Element 5D at the International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany. In fact, I was actually scanned by an Align technician, who said I had a "classic American dental work" (which was a compliment, I think). What I recall from my interview with Yuval Shaked is that Align envisions a day when every patient is scanned during every visit. Why? Because the iTero Element 5D can map changes in the oral cavity over time, giving clinicians a dynamic picture of oral health.

The COVID-19 reopening phase has given dental practices a chance to reinvent themselves, and there are few better ways to do so than with advanced imaging. With a supercharged intraoral scanner at your side, you gain a powerful ally in the battle for treatment acceptance. (The "wow factor" just never seems to go away.)

So as you're considering upgrades to your infection control products, don't forget about other changes that could make your practice the talk of the town. With the iTero Element 5D, you can simultaneously record 3-D, intraoral color, and near-infrared (NIRI) images. And as mentioned, comparisons over time are possible using iTero's TimeLapse technology.

To learn more about iTero Element 5D, visit this link.

11. TeleDent by MouthWatch

In covering the dental industry, one thing you learn quickly is that every company has a personality. Some are approachable, whereas others are icy. Some are innovators, whereas others are imitators. Some are committed to the profession, whereas others are there for a quick buck.

When looking at the companies in the teledentistry vertical, this certainly holds true. Some like to show off their technology, some like to focus on practice integration, and some just want to make it easy. So which company should you choose to be your partner in virtual care?

One company that effectively balances the many facets of teledentistry is MouthWatch. From understanding the business side of telehealth to admirably promoting access to care, MouthWatch sees the possibilities of the technology from every angle. If you're in the market for a teledentistry partner, MouthWatch is a great choice.

TeleDent is MouthWatch's turnkey teledentistry solution. Patients can securely communicate with your practice in real-time or recorded video and share their concerns, photos, and videos during virtual consultations. In the era of COVID-19, TeleDent provides a way for practices to stay connected to their patients through times of uncertainty.

For teledentistry insight from MouthWatch, be sure to check out our interviews with CEO Brant Herman on coding and on how dental hygienists can integrate teledentistry into their practices. To learn more about TeleDent, visit mouthwatch.com.

12. Alphaeon Credit

You may be finding that fewer of your patients are getting approved for financing. If so, it's probably for good reason. Some banks are approving fewer patients or for lower amounts in an effort to reduce risk. 

Not all banks are following this trend, however. Alphaeon Credit is one lender that is working to maintain strong approval rates and superior credit limits. To learn more about Alphaeon Credit (and help more patients move forward with your recommended care) visit myalphaeoncredit.com.

13. Medify Air purifiers and masks

Imagine you're in the air purification business (OK, imagine hard) and almost overnight your demand increases exponentially from an unexpected source—dental practices.

To make a long story short, that's exactly what's happened to Medify Air.

Dentists found Medify Air when searching for ways to improve practice air quality in the wake of COVID-19. Medify Air's products presented a common sense, economical, and effective solution to the problem.

I spoke with Medify Air's Brad Gelsky, who told me that one mistake dentists make is to overbuy and get features they don't necessarily need. Medify Air's line of purifiers hits the sweet spot for most operatory and waiting room needs.

Medify Air's purifiers feature medical-grade HEPA13 filters, which capture airborne particles 0.1 microns and larger. According to the company, one of the largest independent testing facilities in the world has shown that Medify Air's filters remove airborne particles smaller than the airborne COVID-19 virus, which measures 0.125 microns.

Most of Medify Air's dentist customers have purchased the Medify MA-25. Other models, such as the MA-40 or MA-112, do the job for larger rooms. These purifiers are great additions for comprehensive infection control and risk management. Plus, they are economically priced due to Medify Air's lean, direct-to-consumer business model.

Medify Air is currently advertising with Dental Economics and offers 10% off entire purchases with code DE10 at this link. As a bonus, Medify Air also distributes Level 2 isolation gowns and KN95 masks, which are on the FDA Appendix A approved list. To learn more about these products and find a special promotion, visit this link.

14. PPE from Imperial USA 

Because you can't have too many sources these days for personal protective equipment (PPE), we offer one more here.

Last but not least on our list is PPE from Imperial USA. The company offers N95, KN95, and 3-ply masks. To make purchases—as well as read the company's information related to government approvals—visit Imperial USA at kn95ppemask.com.

Additional COVID-19 coverage

There you have it! This concludes our list of products to help you and your practice with COVID-19 recovery. Once again, if you missed part one of this feature, be sure to check it out here.

To keep updated on all our coronavirus coverage, be sure to revisit DentistryIQ's COVID-19 topic center.

Zachary Kulsrud is the editorial director for Endeavor Business Media's dental group, publishers of Dental Economics, DentistryIQ, Perio-Implant Advisory, and RDH magazine.

Additional articles:

• How a 230-location DSO is planning to test all patients for COVID-19 and assist with follow-up care
• Credentialing trends dentists should watch in light of COVID-19
• Employees at high risk for COVID-19: What does the EEOC require of dental practices?