Should a domestic dishwasher be trusted to effectively clean dental instruments?

Miele Professional Brings German Standards to the Canadian Market With Launch of New Generation of Dental Washer-Disinfectors; Redefines Cleanliness and Infection Control 

Toronto, Dental practices, as all health care providers, must follow strict guidelines and adhere to high standards in order to provide the safest, cleanest and most efficient service. But what process and tools can ensure optimum clean?

All dental clinics must use a sterilizer, meeting the most rigid standards set by Health Canada and CSA. But, when it comes to the cleaning process prior to sterilization, it is far more complex. Some clinics still choose to clean their instruments by hand, however the general consensus in healthcare is that using an automated process is best practice. Not all automated systems are equal and there are some cases where clinics use domestic dishwashers. While Miele manufactures high temperature domestic dishwashers that reach 75°C, which in fact is higher than some equipment defined as instrument washers (that reach only 60°C), there is never a situation where Miele would recommend the use of a domestic dishwasher. Besides not having the ability to ensure proper pH balance for instrument care, there is no added infection control in healthcare environments with temperatures that low. When choosing an automated washer, it is ideal to ensure there is maximum cleaning power, the ability to balance the pH of the instruments, and that it reaches temperatures and holding times high enough to promote added infection control.

Miele Professional is bringing two new Dental Washer-Disinfector models to the Canadian market this year – its first new series in 15 years. Manufactured in Germany, the new generation is designed to meet European standards of Aº3000 (93°C for five minutes), much higher than the CSA Z314.8 standard of Aº600 (93°C for one minute), ensuring unprescedented cleanliness and infection control.

The redesigned Washer-Disinfector model provides care for dental instruments, dental associates and patients. Equipped with the feature to neutralize pH in the cleaning process, dental instruments are protected from corrosion, dulling and cracking which will ensure a longer lifespan. With the Miele Washer-Disinfector, all tools are disinfected at this stage prior to sterilization (which is not possible with domestic dishwashers or low temp instrument washers), so in the event dental personnel are injured during the transfer or wrapping of instruments for sterilization, they are safe from bacterial or viral infections. Impeccable cleanliness and improved safety results in the best possible care of patients.

“Miele Professional has worked with dentists and instrument manufacturers for nearly 50 years to ensure consistent quality, performance and efficiency,” said Larry Town, Director, Miele Professional Canada. “Automated cleaning is quickly becoming the preferred method for dental professionals as the efficiency and time savings are unmatched. The Miele PG85 Washer-Disinfectors offer superb performance, increased safety and user convenience for quick and thorough instrument reprocessing that exceeds requirements set by CSA and Health Canada. In fact, the redesigned model is 20 per cent faster than others on the market and even more efficient, providing thoroughly clean and fully disinfected instruments for less than five cents per cassette”

Product Information

The redesigned Washer-Disinfector boasts an innovative water circulation system resulting in higher chamber capacity and reduced use of resources. A patented, variable-speed circulation pump with integrated heating elements regulates water pressure to meet the needs of individual program phases, which saves water and energy and provides rapid and consistent heating of water to 93°C. Newly developed spray arms with a redesigned nozzle and arrangement of jets ensure full spray coverage, while 500 L/minute water pressure
removes the most stubborn residuals.
PG85xx.highres
PG8581.highres
The drying cycle in the new generation of Washer-Disinfectors combines efficiency and user convenience. After the last cycle, steam is drawn into the steam condenser at the rear of the unit where it condenses back to water. With the EcoDry feature, the machine door automatically opens at the end of the program allowing hot, moisture-laden air to escape within a short period of time. On models with the active DryPlus option, moisture remaining in the cabinet is absorbed by the heated drying air and expelled into the atmosphere through the steam condenser. A HEPA Class H13 filter prevents particles from entering the drying system and contaminating the instruments.

Increased user convenience is also at the forefront of this redesign. All models now include the AutoClose feature, allowing the door to be closed and locked automatically with a gentle touch. The patented salt container has been relocated to the door for easy and ergonomic accessibility. A high-end control panel doubles as a door handle and touch on steel technology allows for program selection with one easy tap. A user-friendly interface allows for displays in various languages, as well as a favourites option for rapid onetouch selection for the three most used programs.

Canada’s Favourite Dental Practice Contest Now Open For Nominations

To support the product launch, Miele Professional is hosting its second annual contest within the Canadian Dental Industry, in search of “Canada’s Favourite Dental Practice.” Dental Offices throughout Canada have an opportunity to be nominated and voted for at www.miele.ca/dentalcontest.

“This contest is more than just about recognizing Canada’s Best Dental Practice. It also enables us to create more awareness about the important equipment dentists should be using in Canada,” says Kelly Lam, Vice President of Marketing, Miele Canada.

Everyone who participates in the contest has a chance to win Miele prizes, including the new Miele Washer-Disinfector for the winning Dental Practice, a Miele dishwasher for a Dental Hygienist from the winning Practice, a Miele vacuum for a Dental Assistant from the winning Practice, and a Miele vacuum for one lucky voter.

Complete details on the contest, including entry, voting, prizing, and full rules and regulations can be found at www.miele.ca/dentalcontest. The contest will run from March 15 – June 30, 2016.
The Miele PG 8581 and PG 8591 Washer-Disinfectors will debut at the Pacific Dental Conference in Vancouver, taking place from March 17-19. The new Dental Washer-Disinfectors and other Professional products and appliances are available for purchase directly through a Miele Professional. The Miele 8581 and PG 8591 Dental Washer-Disinfectors starts at $13,000 CDN including a well-equipped package of options*.

Beginning March 15, until June 30, Miele Professional is offering a free 10 year parts and labour warranty on a sterilizer and Washer-Disinfector purchase.

Company profile:
Miele is the world leader in the field of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers,  dishwashers and laundry and floorcare products. This line-up is augmented by dishwashers, washer-extractors and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications (Miele Professional). The company, founded in 1899, has 8 production plants in Germany and one plant each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China and Romania. 2012/13 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.15 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for 70%. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries. The Miele company, now in the fourth generation of family ownership, employs a workforce of around 17,250 with two-thirds in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.

To learn more, visit www.mieleprofessional.ca.

*Disinfection is not a substitution for sterilization. Miele Professional has an entire portfolio of equipment specific to the infection control needs of all dental practices.