3 reasons why every hygienist needs an IsoVac system.

IsoVac hangs off the patient well.

Provides suction, retraction and a bite block all in one

I’ve been using the Isolite product since 2008 and it has become an integral part of how I do what I do in hygiene.  I can no longer live without it.  If you tried taking it away from me at this point, along with a few others products like loupes, I would probably have to seriously consider looking for a new career.  Yes, it is that good.  I would love to see every hygienist using this wonderful product.

As a hygienist, I use it in 3 ways (see demo in video below):
1. When ultrasonic scaling patients with moderate or heavy calculus
2. When air polishing all ortho patients
3. When placing all sealants

The Isolite mouthpiece, which is the heart of all the Isolite systems, not only improves the quality of my work, but it also saves me significant time, especially with scaling and root planing (approx. 20%-30% less time).  Why?  Because you can ultrasonic scale without stopping, which has been a huge game changer for me!  Plus, your patient can’t talk!  How great is that : ).

I know many hygienists who are reading this right now are probably thinking, “I’m already sold Mark.  I would love to have an Isolite system, but there’s no way my boss will pay for it.”  I have no doubt that is true for many of you, but if that is the case, don’t let a cheap boss stop you from having one.  Buy your own!  I bought my own Isolite system back in 2008 for $1495, which was the only available model at the time.  Today you have three options at different price points: the Isolite ($1695), the IsoDry ($795), and the IsoVac ($300).  The IsoVac system (pictured above) is the most affordable option.  If you spread the cost of an IsoVac system over 5 years it equates to only $60 per year, which is nothing (even the IsoDry would only be $159 per year).  The real cost is in the mouthpieces, but don’t let that scare you.  The mouthpieces do cost between $2.00 and $2.50 (depending on how you buy them) and they are disposable, so you cannot reuse them, but they are worth every penny.  Let’s break down what a typical cost for a full-time hygienist may be.

Annual costs based on 2 mouthpieces a day (I personally use an average of 2-3 mouthpieces per day)
– $2.50 per mouthpiece x 2 per day x 4 days per week x 50 weeks per year = $1,000 per year.

Is $1,000 per year asking too much from a hygienist?  I don’t think so.  The average American spends $1,100 a year on coffee!  Trust me, Isolite mouthpieces will improve your work day much more than coffee will!  FYI, I only drink water : ).

Convincing your boss to cover the costs
I know many of you are still not convinced that hygienists should be buying this stuff.  Okay, so for you guys the question then becomes, what’s the best way to approach my boss?  Come at it from a time savings perspective (and you will save time), which means you have to convert that time savings into more production to at least cover the costs of the mouthpieces.  The weekly cost for mouthpieces in the above scenario is only $20 per week.  You can easily complete one more quadrant of SRP or two sealants per week with the Isolite mouthpieces, which will more than cover the new costs.  To me, it’s an easy argument.

If you have any questions please comment below.  Thanks for reading.

Links
Overview of the IsoVac system
Why hygienists should consider buying their own instruments
http://www.isolitesystems.com

Video

Mark Frias, RDH

2 thoughts on “3 reasons why every hygienist needs an IsoVac system.

  1. Hi Mark – I love my isolite. Do you ever have issues with patient acceptance? I’d say maybe 10% complain and want me to take it out, or say it’s gagging them. Any tips for this sort of issue? Do you have this problem at all?

    • I get about 5% of patients who have a difficult time with it. Maybe 3% cannot tolerate it at all but the vast majority do. A few of the things I recommend are one, don’t present it as a choice. Two, even if you have to give them breaks, it’s still worth using. Three, insert it from the cheek side first and then move the bite block in place. Four, wet the mouthpiece before inserting. Five, practice, practice, practice. My back up plan is suction mirrors, which is a decent alternative when power scaling.

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