DEFEND+Plus Sterilization Pouch

DEFEND+Plus Sterilization Pouches

Mydent International

DEFEND+Plus features built-in lead-free internal sensors that clearly indicate when the correct sterilization temperature has been achieved.

The need for more effective and consistent sterilization techniques and protocols for dental instruments has been well documented. ¹ Mydent’s DEFEND+Plus sterilization pouches have built-in lead-free dual internal indicators to ensure the correct sterilization temperature, saving both time and treatment costs by eliminating the need for separate indicator strips. The pouches are available in 5 sizes and come packaged 200 to a box.

The 13 hygienists and assistants who participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation rated DEFEND+Plus sterilization pouches on features such as ease of reading the sensors, overall ease of use, and staff satisfaction.

Internal/External Sensors

In addition to an external indicator that changes color when the optimal sterilization temperature has been achieved within the compartment, the DEFEND+Plus internal sensor provides further verification, without having to use an indicator strip inside the pouch.

Ease of reading the internal/external sensors was rated as excellent by 7 evaluators, as very good by 4, and as good to fair by 2. One evaluator suggested making the internal/external indicators “the same color for all bag sizes throughout the product line,” and another evaluator suggested “a larger area to read if the bag has been sterilized.”

Four hygienists identified the sensors as a favorite feature. Two of these hygienists, both of whom gave all features a rating of excellent, said, “the test strip is readily identifiable” and “I really liked the internal sensor…a great product.”

Ease of Use

Like Mydent’s original DEFEND pouches, DEFEND+Plus sterilization pouches feature superior design and quality construction. Ease of use is enhanced by the ease of opening and sealing the pouches.

Overall ease of use was rated as excellent by 11 evaluators and as very good to good by 2. One evaluator said, “The small size pouch could be smaller for burs.” Two of the 4 evaluators who commented on the thickness, durability, and/or heaviness of the pouches reported that instruments “didn’t poke through as they do with other products.”

One evaluator said the pouches “held up better when wet.” Another said, “The packets come out drier than our brand, not soaked. We can put them away sooner without having to let them air-dry.”

Ease of opening/sealing the pouches was rated as excellent by 10 evaluators, as very good by 2, and as fair by 1. One hygienist said, “The self-adhesive tape was hard to peel off.” Three evaluators cited ease of opening/sealing as the feature they liked most; 1 said “the sealing strip comes off easily with no fuss.”

Staff Satisfaction

When asked about staff satisfaction with DEFEND+Plus, 9 evaluators rated them as excellent, 3 rated them as very good, and 1 rated them as poor. An evaluator who said she would definitely recommend and purchase the pouches said she “replaced the product with the new pouch and didn’t tell the staff. They didn’t notice the difference. When informed, they liked it as much as the previous brand.”

When asked what she’d like to see improved, another evaluator said, “Nothing so far…the staff really liked them.”

Overall Satisfaction

Five evaluators rated their overall satisfaction with DEFEND+Plus as excellent, 7 rated it as very good, and 1 as fair. Ten hygienists said they would definitely or probably purchase the pouches and 12 said they would definitely or probably recommend them to colleagues. When asked what they’d like to see improved, an evaluator who called them much better than similar pouches said she “couldn’t find a thing wrong with this product. It seems superior to the one we’re using now. The entire staff is recommending it to our employer. If its pricing compares well, you’ll definitely have a new customer.” A California hygienist who rated all features as excellent said, “I wish I could come up with something to improve but these pouches were great in every way we could think of. You’ve made an excellent product.”

Reference

1. Smith AJ, Bagg J, Hurrell D, et al. Sterilization of re-usable instruments in general dental practice. Br Dent J. 2007;203:E16.