New disposable exam kit now cost-effective

Queensland-based Medi Dent Disposable International (MDDI) has commenced distributing its range of disposable products through Henry Schein Regional and first cab off the rank is a sterile, single use patient exam kit priced at just $2.40 per unit.

"As infection control regulation has increased, so too has the popularity of single-use disposable products in dental practice," said Perry Johnson, managing director of MDDI. "Whereas gloves, masks, bibs and a range of barrier products have typically become commonplace as it is more prudent and cost-effective to dispose of them rather than attempt sterilisation, instruments have always been the bastion of the autoclave largely due to cost.

"We have managed to solve this problem and have now extended the range of disposable products to probes, tweezers, mirrors and more. The exam kit that we have just launched contains everything you need for an oral health exam. There are two masks - one for the dentist and one for the DA - to encourage the continual changing of masks from one patient to another. Our bibs are unique as they have ties, thus eliminating the need to sterilise crocodile clips and chains, offering a 100% solution to cross contamination from reused tape, chains and clips. The probe and tweezers are both disposable; as is the mirror, though we recommend giving it to the patient as a goodwill gesture for home use at the end of the appointment. Even the tray is bio-degradable and the only requirement for the sharps container is the probe."

MDDI initially manufactured the kits in China for that market and now produce some 7 million units a year. The company has since signed an international distribution agreement with SDS Kerr to supply the kits exclusively for most world markets under the Pinnacle Oral Health Examination Kit brand. The agreement specifically excluded Mr Johnson's home territory of Australia.

"The kits are made to our specification in our factories in China and there is a stringent process of quality control. That is the key to manufacturing over there."

Mr Johnson said that the real costs of sterilising instruments in a practice was underestimated and when combined with the traditional disposable products in the exam kit, the latter was more cost-effective to use routinely.

"There are obviously situations where it would be nice to have a disposable kit such as with high risk patients [even though all should be treated as high risk under universal precautions], when your autoclave breaks down or when a whole family arrives for a check-up at once. If you do the sums however, you will actually find that it is far more cost-effective to use the kits for every exam, not just on 'special' occasions."

The release of further kits for hygienists; the school dental system and for defence force use were imminent.