6 Qualities to Look for in Dental Scaling Tools
Dental scaling tools are the true “work horses” in the dental hygienist’s instrument kit. The quality, type and size of scaler you select will make a dramatic difference in both your daily efficiency and the level of service you provide to patients.
Poorly crafted pieces make it more difficult to clean the teeth of patients with extensive tartar, and as a result, can cost time. Inefficient scalers can make you fall behind in your daily schedule, especially at a busy dental office! Even the weight of your scaler can affect how tired or fatigued you are at the end of the day.
As you can see, there’s a lot riding on your selection of a dental scaling hand tools.
We understand there are a lot of choices when it comes to dental and orthodontic instruments. Let’s examine some factors you should consider when purchasing scaling tools.
6 must-have qualities in dental scaling tools
1. Proper Ergonomics
If you have patients who require heavy cleaning, you’re more than twice as likely to strain your hands and put yourself at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. A study in the Journal of Dental Hygiene stated that 75 percent of dental hygienists have some type of hand problem, and more than half exhibited symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome is not only painful, but it results in weakness in your fingers. Eventually, this will progress until you will find it difficult to do everyday tasks such as buttoning shirts or carrying coffee mugs, according to information from the Mayo Clinic.
If at all possible, feel and hold the instrument before you purchase it to get a sense of its ergonomic properties and how it fits in your hand.
2. True economical value
Of course, anyone can make a scaler cheaper, but the old adage is true: you get what you pay for. Longer-lasting dental tools have an obvious benefit, and you should also consider that an efficient scaler enables you to complete cleanings in a timelier manner, which affects the productivity of the entire practice.
3. Outstanding materials
You want to find the perfect balance: you need a strong, stainless-steel material that is crafted to last, but a general rule is that the material should not be harder than the tooth enamel.
4. Textured /serrated handles
Textured surfaces on the handle improve traction and also provide a gripping service that enhances control. You may consider heavily dimpled instruments, or instruments that are strategically curved at certain points. Once again, it’s important to hold these tools to get a true sense of their functionality. Contact us if you’d like to experience a sample of one of our tools.
5. Light weight
After eight-plus hours of holding an instrument, even a slightly heavier variation on what you’re used to can contribute to your overall exhaustion. Heavier instruments require greater muscle activity and pinch force. Remember that instruments with hollow handles not only increase the tactile transfer, but also minimize fatigue.
6. Shape of the instrument handle
A research study in the Applied Ergonomics medical journal explored how different tool handle shapes affected the amount of muscle and pinch force required to perform duties. Instruments with round and tapered shapes required the least amount of force. Tapered handles resulted in 11 percent reduction as opposed to a non-tapered instrument. Obviously, the less force you use, the better
Still not sure? We invite you to discover the Diatech difference
The bottom line is while these are all important factors to consider when purchasing an instrument, the core principle is that you should use a tool that suits your personal preferences as long as it is:
- Effective
- Efficient
- Comfortable
- Ergonomic
- Long-lasting
There are thousands of companies that create quality dental instruments, but only Diatech tools come with the Diatech promise. It’s a promise of uncompromising excellence and customer service that is without equal.
You can find our Diatech booth at dental trade shows across the country, where we’ll invite you to have a hands-on experience to feel the shape and weight of our dental tools.
Contact us for more information on how we can meet your dental supply needs with competitive pricing and same-day shipping. Experience the Diatech promise for yourself and explore our Scalers, Pushers & Pluggers to find the best hand tools for you.
At Diatech, we manufacture superior and innovative products for the dental industry… for the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, orthodontist, endodontist and lab technician. We stand behind our promise of uncompromised quality and the best in competitive pricing.
