There is a lot of discussion about infection control and the management of aerosols in dental practices as they reopen after the shutdown. What hasn’t been discussed as much are dental handpieces. Do they matter? What determines if a handpiece makes the cut?
Daniel Call of Bien-Air Dental confirms that handpieces “absolutely matter.” They come in many designs, and he said some of the basic designs from the ‘60s and ‘70s are still around and a multitude of features have been added to handpieces through the years.
What’s the difference between air-driven versus electric handpieces? There is a difference from the standpoint of aerosol generation and safety. Mr. Call discusses the differentiations and nature of handpieces in this discussion with Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz.
Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, is the chief editor of DentistryIQ. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano-Muniz owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics.
Editor's note: To view DentistryIQ's full coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, including original news articles, video interviews with dental thought leaders, and tips for returning to the office, visit the DentistryIQ COVID-19 Resource Center.
