I read with interest the article on the use of virtual reality glasses as a distraction technique for apprehensive hygiene patients ("Effects of Audiovisual Distraction During Dental Prophylaxis," Ms. Cathryn Frere, Drs. Richard Crout, Jack Vorty and Daniel McNeil, July JADA).
My interest, however, soon turned to grave concern. Reading the article twice, I was unable to find any information on the recommended method for thorough disinfection/sterilization of the audiovisual eyeglasses between patients. I was doubly concerned because of the use of sonic scaling equipment with its propensity for creating a cloud of aerosol mist.
[Dental offices include] chemclave, autoclave, dry heat, Statim, presoaks, soaks, scrub brushes, bur brushes, ultrasonic baths, germicidals, bacteriostatics, disinfectants, antibacterial hand soap, bleach, black and orange biohazard stickers, gloves, masks, safety glasses, face shields, scrubs, gowns (long-sleeved), patient napkins, patient drapes, patient eye protection, Listerine, chlorhexidine gluconate, prerinse, post-rinse, premedication, rubber dam, high-speed evacuation, single-use disposable items, sticky cellophane handle covers (I prefer blue), handpiece condoms, needle-recapping devices, sharps containers, sharps disposal, water-line disinfection, mercury hygiene, X-ray film processing hygiene, lab case hygiene, scrap amalgam management, hazardous waste bagging, hazardous waste disposal, high-volume rapid turnover office ventilation system (properly filtered), and several thousand dollars worth of vital plumbing back-flow control valves.
Somewhere in all of this there must be a way to manage high-tech devices. Short of having to buy about 4,000 sets of virtual reality glasses (one set for each of my active patients), would the authors please tell me the recommended protocol for ensuring that this vital equipment won’t add to the potential for morbidity and mortality generated by the average dental practice? Thank you.
