In a continuing effort to provide the safest and healthiest environment possible for patients, Otsego Dental has purchased a Surgically Clean Air unit—one of the world’s most advanced standalone medical-grade air purifiers.
The Surgically Clean Air unit contains a six-stage filtration system that includes a HEPA-Rx filter that captures 99.998% of all particles down to 0.1 microns and utilizes UV-C germicidal light to destroy airborne viruses and bacteria.
“We are utilizing the technologies of Surgically Clean Air to clean, purify, and re-energize every cubic foot of air within our dental practice,” said Dr. Paul Shiels. “We want every patient to feel completely comfortable and completely safe when they come to Otsego Dental, and adding this unit to provide us with clean air, gives everyone, patients and staff alike, more reason to feel safe.”
Maximizing Safety
Otsego Dental was closed for several months, adhering to the state of Minnesota’s Stay Safe Order, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Upon reopening in the summer, Otsego Dental has been very busy, with a new set of protocols to maximize safety for patients and staff, including:
- Communicating with patients before an appointment to ask some screening questions
- Patients have to wear a mask inside the building; Otsego Dental provides hand sanitizer once inside
- The reception area no longer has magazines, newspapers, and toys as these are difficult to clean
- Asking some patients to relax in their car until their appointment time to aid in social distancing
“We’ve been very encouraged by the ability of both our staff and our patients to maintain social distancing and to adhere to the safety protocols in place,” said Shiels. “We decided to make the investment in the Surgically Clean Air unit as another step to provide as safe of an environment as we can.”
The Air Cleaning Process
The unit works in six stages to remove particles including, odors, gases, mold, allergens, and viruses. It also sterilizes the air and re-energizes it. Surgically Clean Air units are being used by numerous medical professionals and over 14 professional sports teams to provide the cleanest and safest environment possible while:
- Removing dust and pollen that affects allergies
- Eliminates germs and viruses that make people sick
- Eliminates odors and VOCs that irritate people
- Re-energizes stale indoor air to make breathing easier and leave inhabitants feeling more energized
Like nearly any workplace, a dental office has pollutants in the air that need to be expelled to offer the safest environment.
According to Dr. Joseph Zeisler, DMD, “Cloud of bio-aerosols (containing bacteria and viruses) that form as a result of dental procedures can remain in the air for hours and form a cloud between floor level and six feet.”
Benefits of Surgically Clean Air
The Surgically Clean Air unit filters that air and destroys airborne viruses and bacteria while providing multiple benefits for a dental office:
Pollutants: The exclusive six stages of technology not only filters the air but sterilizes it. It diminishes everything in the air: bio-aerosols, odors, gasses, disinfectants, particulates, viruses, molds, bacteria, and fungus. It also re-energizes the air with negative ions.
Comfort: Studies have shown that headaches, fatigue, itchy eyes, dry skin, coughing, sneezing, and the need for inhalers are all ways polluted air can cause discomfort and inconvenience.
Patient Anxiety: In addition to helping reduce absenteeism among staff, the Surgical Clean Air unit helps lessen the odors in the office, which are known to increase patient anxiety.
“Surgically Clean Air significantly improved the air quality of our clinic—we have the before and after surveys to prove it.”—Dan Stuart, DDS
“I thought my dental operatory was super clean, but I was surprised by how much dirt was collected in a week by my Surgically Clean Air unit.”—Dr. Samson Ng
Over 14 professional sports franchises have installed Surgically Clean Air units in their locker rooms to help clean out and refresh the air in places that can become stale and stinky pretty quickly. The Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Baltimore Orioles, Oakland A’s, and Milwaukee Bucks have all installed units to help decrease illness among their athletes and working staff.
Otsego Dental is proud to have added the Surgically Clean Air unit to our office as part of our continuing effort to provide the safest and most comfortable environment for all of our patients and staff. We hope to see you soon so you can see the difference for yourself!