Hand Pieces & Compressors

Question 1

What are the components of a handpiece

Answer 1

o Turbine
o Outersleeve
o Drive air channel
o Air/water spray channel
o Connection for dental unit

Question 2

How should handpieces be cleaned

Answer 2

o Cleaned after every patient use
o Manual cleaning is the first step (ultrasonic baths should never be used)
o Cleaned in a WD that meets requirements
o Lubricated after wash and prior to sterilising
o A steriliser with vacuum capability is necessary for adequate air removal and sterilisation of internal part of handpieces (type B sterilizer but can also be sterilized through type S)

Question 3

How often should handpieces be maintained

Answer 3

annually

Question 4

What are the top 5 handpiece faults

Answer 4

1. incorrect/inadequate lubrication
2. poor/indadequate cleaning
3. incorrect use
4. damaged/oversized bur
5. incorrect compressor settings/lack of maintenance

Question 5

How often should handpieces be lubricated

Answer 5

after every use

Question 6

What is the purpose of lubrication

Answer 6

 Cleaning and flushing through the spray air channels prevents build up of scale and keeps the fine spray nozzles free

Question 7

What is the advantage of an automatic oil dispensing system

Answer 7

allows optimum lubrication with no excess oil

Question 8

What oil should be used for lubrication

Answer 8

should follow manufacturer recommendations

Question 9

Describe the problems seen with poor/inadequate cleaning

Answer 9

 Handpieces such as surgical ones require disassembly prior to processing
 Sterilizing at incorrect temperature
 Never clean in an ultrasonic bath as it can damage the aluminium

Question 10

What does a bur thats too large do to the handpiece

Answer 10

 If the bur is too large, it can damage the chuck which means the bur cannot be retrieved
 A damaged chuck means that there is a high risk that a correctly sized bur may not be able to fit inside

Question 11

What are problems seen with incorrect compressor settings/lack of maintenance

Answer 11

dental garde compressor is essential, not an industrial one
correct pressure settings

Question 12

Why should industrial compressors not be used

Answer 12

• Do not produce same air quality
• Generally only have large particulate filters on the intake
• Oil can leak from the mechanical side into the reservoir
• No moisture separation so that also builds up in the reservoir
• Water and oil emulsify and are carried through tubing to the device being used
• This is fine for industrial use within a garage or factory
• It is highly undesirable for our purposes

Question 13

How often should dental compressors be maintained

Answer 13

do not need any day-day maintenance but requires annual maintenance

Question 14

What is the correct pressure settings

Answer 14

should refer to manufacturer

Question 15

What happens if there is incorrect pressure

Answer 15

wont run at correct speed

Question 16

Why should we also look after the waterlines

Answer 16

if not they can contaminate hand pieces and put aerosol contamination into the local atmosphere