Stoma Dental has introduced the new, upgraded DOVE™ brand line of disposable high-volume ejector (HVE) and saliva ejector (SE) valves that promote infection control and dental patient safety.
The new DOVE™ HVE and SE valves reportedly respond to the concerns of dental professionals and patients alike in that the valves reduce the possibility of reverse flow, or backflow, which can occur when there is greater negative pressure in the patient’s mouth than in the evacuator tubing. Studies show as many as one in five dental patients who close their lips around the SE tip may experience backflow, potentially exposing themselves to bacteria and other pathogenic viruses that might remain in the vacuum line of the SE valve.
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The DOVE™ line of disposable valves can be reportedly integrated into a private dental practice or institutional dental setting with no deleterious impact on workflow or staff time. They are said to be simple to operate: A smooth and easy switch activation by the dentist, assistant or hygienist operates the open-and-closing mechanism. At the end of each procedure, the valves can be pulled off the vacuum line and discarded.
The entire process takes a matter of seconds, making use of the DOVE™ valves reportedly much more efficient and cost-effective than metal valves, which can take more than 10 minutes (excluding autoclave time) and, at times, even two staff members, to disassemble and sterilize when more stringent protocols are followed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the regular flushing of vacuum tubing and the autoclave sterilization of SE and HVE valves between patients. Research shows three-quarters of all U.S. dental practices do not follow these guidelines.
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In addition, the new upgraded DOVE™ HVE and SE valves are now said to accommodate a much wider range of disposable tips, as the interior chamber of each valve now narrows to fit large and small tip designs and everything in between. The new line of tailpieces also reportedly allows for easy adaptation of DOVE™ products if the dental unit requires adapters.
Stoma Dental is a St. Louis-based company whose mission is to develop and market easy-to-use, disposable anti-infection devices for use in the dental operatory. The DOVE™ (disposable oral valve evacuation) system includes HVE and SE valves, tailcaps and tailpieces, which represent the first products launched by the company. The DOVE™ line of products are produced in the facilities of an ISO 13485 certified facility located in Phoenix, Ariz.
For more information on Stoma Dental or the DOVE™ line of products, visit stomadental.com or call 855-800-DOVE.
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