DAC Universal: 10 years of success

After acquiring the hygiene division of Danish company Nitram 10 years ago, Dentsply Sirona have continued to develop the flagship DAC Universal combination autoclave to create a unique reprocessing device for dental handpieces with complete validation of the process.

In 2006, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recommended that medical devices be reprocessed only with suitable, validated procedures to prevent infection. This prompted Dentsply Sirona Instruments to document the autoclave's reprocessing procedures so that the technical and hygienic operation of the device, as well as its processes, can be tested and validated.

"The technology of our DAC Universal complies with the most stringent requirements, so we can offer dentists greater legal certainty in support of their infection control processes," said Eric Berndt, hygiene product manager at Dentsply Sirona Instruments, referring to the tougher demands for compliance with hygiene guidelines imposed by health authorities. Simultaneously, the DAC Universal is an easy to use, safe and effective device with a small footprint, suitable for even the smallest sterilisation area with verifiable results for many different instruments.

Unsurpassed safety with the DAC Universal

Compared with other reprocessing methods, the DAC Universal offers not only process safety but significant time advantages as well - it is the only device on the market that can clean, lubricate and sterilise up to six turbines and straight and contra-angle handpieces in 16 minutes. Using this device, instruments are quickly ready for use again, which lowers the investment cost in handpieces. Additionally, no chemical additives are used during the cleaning process, which is beneficial for the working life of the instruments.

With the new FLEX lid on the DAC Universal, the device can now be used for internal and external cleaning, thermal disinfection of ultrasonic tips and handpieces as well as the nozzles of multifunctional syringes. The Standard lid can be used for cleaning, maintaining and sterilising up to six wrapped handpieces or a wire basket makes it possible to reprocess solid instruments such as probes, mirrors or curettes. The ultrasonic tips are reprocessed together with their associated torque wrenches and undergo a closed, fully automated hygiene cycle so that sources of error are excluded.

Various adapters also make it possible to reprocess instruments from other manufacturers in the DAC Universal. Yet another advantage is the graphical user interface that enables simple, intuitive operation. The current status is shown in the LCD display throughout the hygiene cycle. All-important reprocessing parameters and confirmation of successful completion of the program can be documented after the cycle ends.