On March 24, 2009, dental equipment manufacturer Sirona issued a press release to make German clients aware of a significant milestone. The DAC Universal autoclave can now be validated on-site in dental offices. The German Societies for Hospital Hygiene and Sterile Supply, and the Working Group for Instrument Preparation develop the guidelines for medical and dental providers regarding sterile processing. Creating a technology that receives the stamp of approval for meeting the strictest operational and hygienic standards is no small feat, but Sirona was up to the task.
In-depth documentation of the functions of this sterilizer allows it to meet the rigorous testing criteria required by regional health authorities. It also meets national and international standards for hygiene certification. This makes it simple for dental professionals to provide a sterile treatment environment for their patients. A validated autoclave also offers better legal protection since it is easy to consistently monitor and document satisfactory machine performance. In any patient care setting, having the records to prove that sterilization equipment is functioning properly shows a dedication to following best practices. With the DAC, a memory card can be used to save relevant information for each cycle.
Other Benefits Of The DAC Universal
This autoclave can process high-speed, contra-angle, and straight handpieces. Up to six tools can be successfully run through the cycle at once. Cleaning, lubrication and sterilization are all performed using a single program. The unit can also sterilize wrapped instruments. Turnaround time for the longest cycle is less than 20 minutes and the shortest processing time is just 3 minutes. Since instruments can be rapidly prepared for each client, the total number of sets that need to be kept on hand is reduced. The savings realized by minimizing duplicate tool purchases make the DAC unit a smart buy with a quick return on investment.
Another benefit of this machine is the reduction in wear and tear on existing instruments. The DAC Universal uses a pulse washing process to provide internal and external cleaning at the beginning of each disinfecting sequence. This is done twice with cold water followed by a hot water phase. Dirt and bacteria are quickly and efficiently removed. The result is less friction from grit buildup in these delicate tools. Consequently, they require fewer repairs. Although this autoclave cuts the time needed to manually service equipment, it is still necessary to pre-clean tools to remove visible soiling before loading them.
The automatic lubrication process occurs after the first cold wash. This function can be deactivated if necessary. During the final sterilization phase, a back-flush method is used that forces steam into every crevice of the instruments. The temperature is maintained at 134 Celsius to kill any pathogens that may be present.
User protection is ensured through a number of features. A safety ring makes it impossible for the operator’s fingers to become trapped between the lid and the chamber. The lubrication cycle happens only after the machine is sealed. This prevents fumes from escaping into the workplace and affecting air quality. The sterilizer uses a sensor in the tank to monitor water quality. An alarm signals any deterioration in the quality of the water supply. Otherwise, this unit is a low-noise autoclave.
If you have a dental practice that requires a user-friendly sterilizer, read our free report to find out about more options.