The Federal Food & Drug Administration is again alerting healthcare professionals and dental organizations of a safety issue described in a 2007 Public Health Notification, "Patient Burns from Electric Dental Handpieces".
According to the FDA, these devices, which are used to prepare dental cavities for restorations, such as fillings, and for cleaning teeth may be causing burns to patients, ranging from first degree burns to third degree burns requiring reconstructive surgery. The FDA has received numerous complaints of injuries.
The burns often occur when electric dental handpieces overheat during dental procedures. However, the burns may not be apparent to the operator or the patient until after the tissue damage has occurred, because the anesthetized patient cannot feel the tissue burning and the handpiece housing insulates the operator from the heated attachment.
Larry can be reached at larry@jonesward.com or by using his toll-free number 1-888-KYLAW22.
