A Simple, Powerful, and Comfortable Isolation Solution
The DryShield® all-in-one isolation system from Solmetex improves clinical outcomes and practice efficiency
Sam Halabo, DMD
For Sam Halabo, DMD, the opportunity to enhance lives by having a positive impact on the oral health and overall well-being of his patients is an honor. He has been practicing for more than 25 years at his state-of-the-art office, which is located in the suburbs south of downtown San Diego, California. "Our office is known as a one-stop shop that offers all facets of dentistry," he says. "We cater to patients of all ages, from 2 years old to 103, who in addition to our team members, represent a wonderful mix of different cultures."
After graduating from Boston Univer-sity's Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, Halabo completed a general practice residency at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Loma Linda, California, where he learned special techniques for working with fearful patients and providing comfortable dental care. In addition to being in private practice, he is an adjunct faculty member at the University of California at San Diego, lectures on a variety of restorative and surgical topics with an emphasis on improving patient care and dentists' enjoyment of the profession. "I have been proud and honored to share my knowledge and experience with those seeking to provide the most excellent and comfortable dental care for their patients," he says.
One product that helps Halabo in his quest to provide comfortable dental care for his patients is the DryShield® all-in-one isolation system from Solmetex. The DryShield all-in-one isolation system combines the functions of a high-suction evacuator, saliva ejector, bite block, tongue shield, and oral pathway protector into one easy-to-use device. "Prior to implementing DryShield, we experienced many challenges with isolation, including the time required to achieve it, for example, by placing a rubber dam," Halabo says. "This extra time may require more anesthesia for the patient. In addition, previous methods of achieving isolation were not easy for team members to use, and if a system is not easy to use, the assistants may not be very eager to use it."
Halabo uses DryShield for every procedure except those related to removable prostheses. He notes that it helps to improve clinical outcomes while protecting his patients. "Isolation has a huge impact on crown and bridge, especially bonding procedures, resulting in less sensitivity and minimizing bacterial issues," he says. "We even use DryShield for implant procedures. We used to use gauze to block out patients' throats, but it always triggered their gag reflexes and was never a very secure option during surgery."
According to Halabo, using DryShield saves a great deal of time, money, and frustration, which improves the efficiency of his practice. "You are able to keep saliva out of the equation and finish your work without patients gaging or having their tongues touching areas of treatment," he says. "And to be honest, placing DryShield can help to keep those patients who talk a great deal from slowing down treatment." This translates to benefits for Halabo's practice. "Because DryShield enables us to deliver faster and more efficient procedures, we are able to see more patients in less time, which in turn, results in greater profit," he says. "Patients also appreciate the shorter appointment times, and for bonding procedures, the isolation achieved by DryShield results in the need for less postoperative return visits by patients for sensitivity issues."
Beyond reduced gagging, shorter appointments, and less postoperative sensitivity, other benefits for patients include enhanced comfort and peace of mind during procedures. All DryShield mouthpieces are made from a soft and flexible material that contours to the patient's mouth. "We do a great job of explaining the benefits of DryShield to patients before the first time that we use it on them," Halabo says. "Most of them report that it is much easier than trying to hold their mouths open the entire time and that they like it. They are put at ease knowing that it is pulling the saliva and water out of their mouths while preventing anything from going down their throats."
Halabo cites a variety of reasons for choosing DryShield over other isolation systems. "When compared with similar systems, DryShield's price was certainly right," he says, "and you don't need to have a lighting unit with it, which is one less thing in a crowded operatory. We were able to outfit multiple operatories, as well as our hygiene rooms, with DryShield for an affordable price. Furthermore, many studies now show that this type of isolation is better at aerosol control than previous methods, and the ability to opt for the cost savings of autoclavable mouthpieces or the convenience of single-use mouthpieces, which are both available in multiple different sizes, is a great feature."
DryShield is easy to integrate into practice workflows and to train team members to use. "Integration was very simple, and it only took a few patients for our team to learn which size mouthpieces fit which size mouths," Halabo says. "Honestly, we just looked at a brochure and watched a quick video and we were off and running. This is not a very complicated system to use. Nonetheless, it is especially loved by my assistants because it allows them to focus more on procedures and ensuring that I have what I need rather than worrying as much about patients' tongues or them swallowing any materials."
With all of the benefits for practices and patients, Halabo emphasizes that he would absolutely recommend DryShield to other dentists. "It will make your life so much easier during procedures, and it will benefit your patients greatly in comfort and safety," he says. "And with the efficiency you will achieve, the investment will ultimately pay for itself many times over."
Maintains a dry, clean, and visible working area, enhancing clinical outcomes for procedures.
Enables faster completion of procedures, allowing dentists to treat more patients in less time.
Features comfortable mouthpieces available in both autoclavable and single-use options.
Seamlessly integrates into workflows, simplifying isolation so that teams can focus on delivering high-quality care.
