Our 10,000 dental instruments and product solutions are sold in over 100 countries, and we have over 900 employees representing and growing our brand around the world. Headquartered in Chicago, we have offices and distribution centers in Italy, Germany, China, and Japan, and a sales force spread over 30 different countries.
Hu-Friedy’s mission is the same today as it has always been – to help dental professionals perform at their best. In order to do that, we have to be at our best, too, because better dentistry starts with us - and we take that responsibility very seriously.
The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced both the risks to which hygienists and their colleagues are exposed every working day, and the critical role masks and respirators play in mitigating those risks.
Think back: When was the last time you updated your diagnostic instrumentation?
A diagnostic instrument’s useful lifespan can extend for years. There may be probes and explorers in use right now in some dental offices that performed exceptionally well over time but are truly no longer in optimal condition to advance efficient and vital dental diagnoses.
Routine sterilizer efficacy monitoring is a critical element of your practice’s infection prevention and control protocol. Steam sterilization is, of course, a routine part of instrument reprocessing, and it’s important to ensure your sterilizer is functioning properly for every load. As a result, there are certain steps you should be taking monthly, daily, and per each load to achieve sterility assurance.
Hand hygiene has always been a critical part of infection prevention in health care settings, and the experience of living and working through a pandemic has only underscored its importance. However, despite the extra attention on infection prevention, the CDC reports that, “on average healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times they should.”
Students at dental, dental hygiene, and dental assisting schools have very full plates. Whether in the classroom or in-clinic, there is a lot to learn in a relatively short amount of time. But one area where dental students sometimes get a break is in instrument reprocessing.
At this time last year, we were all collectively reeling from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and dealing with the confusion, uncertainty, and anxiety of managing a new virus. And, in the midst of an unprecedented shutdown that nearly ground dentistry to a complete halt, practices pivoted on the fly to implement new infection prevention and control procedures that would enable them to continue practicing safely.
Have you thanked a dental assistant lately? Now’s your chance. The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) dubbed the first full week of March “Dental Assistants Recognition Week.”
Of course, dental assistants have earned our gratitude all year round. Dental assistants are the hardworking heroes who keep practices running smoothly and patients happy.
When we first introduced the Clear Collection for Clear Aligners, we wanted to make it easier for dental professionals like you to manipulate invisible aligners without the need to heat the instrument.
By Marie T. Fluent, DDS
Enter your email address to receive exclusive news, updates and offers from HuFriedyGroup.