Recent Blog Posts

• Is an Annual IPAC Assessment of Your Instrument Reprocessing a MUST?

  Posted: October 28, 2026

  Categories: IPAC Compliance , Infection Control , Professional , maxill University
  

  Most dental practices have established infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols. Instruments are cleaned, sterilizers are monitored, biological indicators are processed, and records are maintained. But here's a question worth asking: When was the last time your practice formally evaluated its instrument reprocessing procedures and documented the findings?

  There is an important difference between performing routine IPAC activities and evaluating whether your reprocessing system is functioning as intended. This is where the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) comes into the conversation.

  What Does the 2023 CSA Standard Say?

  In 2023, CSA published CSA Z314:23 – Canadian Medical Device Reprocessing in All Health Care Settings, a standard encompassing healthcare environments where reusable medical devices are reprocessed, including dental practices.

  Under Clause 5 – Quality Management Systems, the

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• SilverSense SDF: A Chairside Application Guide

  Posted: October 23, 2026

  Categories: Procedural , Oral Care , Product , Professional , Procedural Walkthroughs , maxill University
  

  SilverSense SDF is a 38% silver diamine fluoride solution used professionally to help arrest caries and manage dentinal sensitivity. It is supplied in a 5 mL dropper bottle, with approximately 0.03 mL per drop.

  Once the client and lesion have been assessed and SDF has been selected, the application itself is straightforward.

  1. Isolate, Clean and Dry

  Isolate the affected tooth, then clean and dry the treatment surface.

  Remove accessible plaque and debris so the lesion is visible and the site can be adequately dried.

  Cotton rolls or rubber dam may be used for isolation, and the IFU also notes that petroleum jelly or cocoa butter may be used to help protect gingival tissues.

  2. Dispense

  Dispense 1–2 drops into a disposable Dappen dish.

  Each drop contains approximately 0.03 mL, and this amount may treat up to 5 sites per client.

  SilverSense has a blue tint to improve visibility i

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• Chairside Setup for SDF: Building the Armamentarium

  Posted: October 21, 2026

  Categories: Procedural , Oral Care , Professional , Procedural Walkthroughs , maxill University
  

  The caries risk assessment is complete. The lesion has been assessed. The indications point to SDF as an appropriate treatment option.

  Now it is time to set up.

  SDF application itself is simple, but the armamentarium around it matters. A thoughtful setup helps the clinician control the material, maintain a dry field, improve visibility and reduce the risk of unintended contact or staining.

  The broader clinical workflow remains:

  SCREEN. DISPENSE. ISOLATE. APPLY. PROTECT.

  But once SCREEN is complete, the chairside setup begins with gathering the right armamentarium.

  Start With the Setup Surface

  Before dispensing SDF, think about what is sitting between the material and the operatory counter. SilverSense SDF can stain countertops, floors, instruments, clothing and skin brown or black. The Canadian Instructions for Use specifically caution clinicians to avoid spills and

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• SDF: Let Caries Risk Guide the Decision

  Posted: October 19, 2026

  Categories: Procedural , Oral Care , Product , Professional , maxill University
  

  Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective, minimally invasive option for managing active carious lesions. It is simple to apply, requires relatively little chairside time, and can be especially valuable when conventional restorative care is difficult, delayed or not immediately feasible. Evidence-based clinical guidance supports 38% SDF as a nonrestorative treatment option for appropriate carious lesions. (Slayton et al., 2018)

  Yet SDF still appears to be under-integrated into routine clinical care.

  The bigger question may no longer be:

  “Does SDF work?”

  It may be:

  “Are we identifying the right clients for it?”

  That is why SDF should begin with caries risk assessment — not with the bottle.

  SCREEN. DISPENSE. ISOLATE. APPLY. PROTECT.

  

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