The Patient Centered Dental-Health Home 2023-2026 - 75

Dental Equipment
Nitrous Oxide: Recommended
Nitrous or " laughing gas " is a sedation option
that dentists can offer to help calm nervous
or excitable patients. Nitrous also
helps to relax patients during long
appointments. The patient wears
a nasal mask and breathes a
carefully metered blend of
nitrous oxide and oxygen
during treatment. Where
nitrous oxide will be
frequently used, built-in
systems are more costeffective.
If your program
will only use nitrous oxide
on special occasions, a
portable system will work well.
Nitrogen: Recommended for Oral
Surgery Specialty
Nitrogen is often used in lieu of compressed air
in oral surgeons' offices. Compressed
ambient air may contain bacterial
contaminants that raise the risk
of infection while operating
handpieces.
Oxygen: Essential
If you decide not to have
a built-in nitrous system
that includes oxygen, your
office will need portable
oxygen to respond to medical
emergencies.
Additional Equipment Considerations
Soft-and Hard-Tissue Lasers:
Recommended
Soft-tissue lasers are effective tools for
any practice that frequently performs
oral surgeries, biopsies, crown
lengthening, or other procedures
where the soft-tissue requires
incisions or excisions. The softtissue
laser manages bleeding
and limits trauma to tissue,
thus promoting prompt
healing and limiting postoperative
complications.
Where CHC patients
often suffer from chronic
systemic diseases which
are better managed by
good control of periodontal
health, soft-tissue lasers
are a valuable treatment
enhancement.
Water Treatment
System: Recommended
Purity of water for the protection and
longevity of equipment is an important issue
23SM2038
in a dental clinic. During treatment the dentist,
hygienist, or assistant will flush the patient's mouth
with fresh water. Water also flows through the
handpiece to provide cooling during preparation
of cavities for fillings. Steam sterilizers also require
pure water in order to function. Many dental chair
systems now come with a plastic bottle mount to
provide purified water for treatment. The office
can keep a supply of distilled water on hand for
use around the office. However, a more efficient
approach is a built-in water treatment system that
purifies community water before it travels to the
dental unit and for filling of sterilizer reservoirs.
Intra-Office Communication System:
Recommended
There are several systems that can help the front
desk/reception area communicate with the clinical
area and the provider office. The simplest are
light systems coded to represent patient arrival or
readiness. More advanced system display messages
on computer monitors. These help staff to know
what is happening and to convey information
without having to leave their work-posts or current
patients. Such systems improve accuracy and speed
and reduce frustration.
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