The COVID-19 pandemic has made me think about a lot of things that were never on my mind before—such as how many times I touch my face every day, even when trying not to, or what things get touched around the office that then need to be disinfected. Something else I am now forced to think about is the cleanliness of the air in my operatories. So-called “experts” in the field of infection control have suggested that all dental operatories should have negative pressure installed. This is not a feasible solution. The cost to do so would be immense and even impossible in many situations. The answer to the problem of dental operatory air cleanliness will have to come in a reasonable package. EnviroKlenz Air System Plus is just that.
The Air System Plus is a small, self-contained, wheeled unit designed to go into dental operatories to capture and destroy toxic gasses, particulates, allergens, bacteria, and viruses. One EnviroKlenz Air System Plus can cover 1,000 square feet. That’s around the size of the average dental operatory. The system runs pretty quietly too . . . between 55 and 60 decibels, depending on the mode. Since this is around the level of a quiet conversation at home, it certainly will not sound like an industrial fan running in every room.
The key to the EnviroKlenz Air System Plus is how fast it turns over the air in an operatory. When used in conjunction with an HVAC system, the operatory air will be turned over around 17 times an hour. In other words, that is once every 3 minutes and 52 seconds. In just under 18 minutes, all the air in a 1,000-cubic-foot operatory can be 99.9% disinfected. Those are impressive numbers for a portable machine that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg!
Inside the EnviroKlenz Air System Plus, you will find a HEPA filter that will trap bacteria, viruses, and additional larger particulates larger than .3 microns. Fortunately, SARS-CoV-2 falls in that range. Once filtered, the Air System Plus’ germicidal irradiation chamber neutralizes all that stuff it filters out. In addition, the EnviroKlenz air cartridge filters out particulates and odors, giving us benefits beyond COVID-19 safety.
Practicality and performance set apart the EnviroKlenz Air System Plus. We can simply and efficiently make our offices safe for us, our team, and our patients and do so without investing thousands of dollars in ridiculous tasks such as negative pressure operatories. Simply put an Air System Plus in every operatory and breathe easy! Base hit up the middle for EnviroKlenz.
Joshua Austin, DDS, FAGD, FACD, writes the Pearls for Your Practice column in Dental Economics. After graduating from the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School, Dr. Austin associated for several years. In October of 2009, he opened a solo general practice in a suburban area of San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Austin is involved in all levels of organized dentistry and can be reached at [email protected].
