Washable keyboards mitigate risk of infection for patients and professionals and save dentists the cost of frequent keyboard replacement
For the nation’s 156,921 active private dental practitioners (American Dental Association, 2002), Unotron’s SpillSeal® computer keyboards play a vital role in protecting patients and professionals against the spread of infection. Affordably priced, Unotron’s patented technology seals and protects keyboards from liquid or airborne penetration, maximizing safety while eliminating the need to frequently replace keyboards.
"Computers are an integral part of every aspect of dental practice, from diagnostics and treatment to billing and claims processing, with computer technology at hand in virtually every dental operatory and administrative office," says Marc Cisneros, chief operating officer at Unotron, international manufacturers and marketers of high quality, washable data input and security devices. "SpillSeal® washable computer keyboards are an important step forward in dental hygiene, enabling professionals to clean and disinfect in-office equipment that may be breeding grounds of bacteria and viruses."
Benjamin Young, DDS, Sandy, Utah, says, "Maintaining proper infection control and eliminating cross contamination is a big challenge for many dental offices. Until now, trying to balance function and the demands of infection control without damaging equipment was a struggle. Unotron’s SpillSeal® technology can be disinfected and cleaned under running water without damaging the keyboard, finally allowing dental offices to perfectly balance function and the demands of infection control, without any sacrifice!"
Dr. Young also appreciates the ease of installation and setup, adding that the wireless keyboard opens up a great deal of freedom of movement and placement in a dental office.
Cisneros points out that during dental or surgical procedures, bacteria which reside in the mouth or upper respiratory tract can travel to the in-office keyboard and survive as long as 24 hours. Viruses can live on the keyboards for at least one hour or longer, depending upon the moisture in the air and the temperature of the room.
"Dentists and dental assistants adhere to strict standards for equipment sterilization and hand hygiene as an imperative for infection control but may not realize that germs are being transmitted to the computer keyboard, either airborne or via a gloved hand that touches the keys," he adds. "To mitigate infection, some dentists report discarding existing operatory keyboards every three months. That practice could prove quite costly."
According to Daniel Le Pera, DDS, Hackensack, New Jersey, "The SpillSeal® washable keyboard is much better than the one that the distributor provides. Action on the keys is great – feels like the old style typewriter – and decreases fatigue on the hand. All of our operatories have computers, and the hot keys help to navigate our computer without having to use a mouse."
Dr. LaPera says that dentists will find the keyboard easy to use and clean. "Prior to the introduction of the SpillSeal® keyboard, we had to use a barrier, and at the end of day, we would have to take all the keys off and wash it that way. Now, I can wash and rinse the entire keyboard each day."
SpillSeal® computer keyboards are manufactured and assembled so that the dome under each key is welded into the key assembly, allowing the keyboard to be cleaned and disinfected using commercial or hospital-grade cleansers and sealing it against liquid entering the keyboard.
"While standard keyboards also incorporate upturned domes underneath each key, the keys are either set in a rubber mat or single and loose," explains Cisneros. "However, when liquids are applied – including cleansers – the fluids can easily pass through the key, damaging the equipment and rendering it inoperable. As a result, the keyboards cannot be cleaned and remain in place, getting dirtier with every use until they are finally discarded."
One study found that keyboards can contaminate the fingers of a medical professional – bare or gloved – who could then transfer bacteria to patients. Touching a keyboard even one time was enough to transmit bacteria.
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"Since most adults report that they had seen a dentist within the past year, this advancement could impact millions of Americans," continues Cisneros, citing a 2003 Public Opinion Survey: Oral Health of the U.S. Population.
For more information about purchasing Unotron’s SpillSeal® keyboards, visit www.unotron.com or call 800.381.5817.