Nupro Freedom

Cordless Prophy System with SmartMode® Technology

Shirley Branam, RDH, MBA

Infection prevention is one of our responsibilities as oral healthcare providers. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings-2003 addresses dental handpieces and other devices attached to air and water lines, stating that "for processing any dental device that can be removed from the dental unit air or water lines, neither surface disinfection nor immersion in chemical germicides is an acceptable method." Based on the elements of the 2003 guidelines, CDC's 2016 Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care reiterates the importance of sterilization and disinfection of patient care items and devices and includes the recommendation that "dental handpieces and associated attachments, including low-speed motors and reusable prophylaxis angles, should always be heat sterilized between patients and not high level or surface disinfected." The summary guidelines reference published studies that demonstrate that the internal surfaces of dental handpieces connected to air lines, including low-speed air motors, can become contaminated with patient materials during use.

The Nupro Freedom^®  Cord-less Prophy System with SmartMode^®  Technology provides a cost-effective solution to comply with CDC's infection prevention guidelines. The cordless system is designed with engineering controls, including autoclavable outer sheaths that have a fluid seal, which isolates the inner module from patient contact while providing a secure infection control barrier. Per CDC's guidelines, the inner module of the system is considered a noncritical device.

The inner module of the Nupro Freedom is designed to be covered with an FDA-cleared disposable barrier and cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant labeled for tuberculocidal (ie, mycobactericidal) activity after each use. Disposa-Shield^® offers disposable barriers specifically for the inner module, and VoloWipes^® disinfecting wipes have been found to be effective in achieving the required level of disinfection. The wipes have an alcohol and quaternary ammonium formula, which serves as an effective disinfectant, cleaner, and deodorizer that is approved for cleaning and disinfecting Nupro Freedom's inner module, charging base, optional foot pedal, power supply, and other noncritical components.

Implementing the proper infection prevention procedures while polishing is crucial. The Nupro Freedom Cordless Prophy System with SmartMode Technology and VoloWipes disinfecting wipes offer a complete system to keep you compliant with the current CDC infection control guidelines.