One of the most basic forms of maintenance to be performed in a dental office is suction line cleaning, but many offices neglect this task. When suction lines are not cleaned, debris begins to build up around joints and bends, and slowly clogs the line. This results in poor vacuum performance.
To combat this, dental equipment manufacturers recommend cleaning your suction lines frequently. I recommend using a dental line cleaner mixed with hot water. Simply fill a quart jar with hot water and cleaner, and then suck the jar empty with the HVE (High Volume Oral Evacuation). Repeat the process with the Saliva Ejector. Move from operatory to operatory, starting with the room furthest from the mechanical room. By the time you have made it to the last operatory, the lines will have been thoroughly cleaned. This should be done at the end of every work day. If you haven’t been cleaning the lines regularly you will probably notice a lot of debris coming out of the lines, but this will gradually subside as the built up material is flushed away.
When choosing a vacuum line cleaner don’t just blindly pick one from a catalog. Dental suction machine manufacturers usually each have their own cleaner that they recommend, and with the recent addition of amalgam separators to most dental offices, the separator companies also have cleaners that they make and/or recommend.
For best results use a cleaner that is compatible with both pieces of equipment, but when faced with contradictory information between the two, choose the cleaner that the amalgam separator company recommends. The reason for this is that the amalgam separator is made out of plastic, and harsh chemicals damage the plastic and cause cracks on the body of the machine. Over time this will lead to leaks and reduced performance.
Ensuring that your suction lines are clean will improve the performance of your vacuum system, reducing costly breakdowns and making your work experience better. For more information, or for cleaner recommendations, talk with your service technician.
Tags for this article :Tags: Dental Air & Vacuum Systems, Dental Equipment
