Interview about prophylaxis with Birgit Schlee: MyLunos Duo and the future of prophylaxis
Birgit Schlee, dental hygienist and consultant in the field of prophylaxis
With great passion and expert knowledge in the field of individual prophylaxis, Birgit Schlee pursues a concept of prophylaxis that is focused on the individual needs of patients. Her long-standing experience has made her an expert in this field – and the perfect person to speak to for a conversation about the requirements and possibilities of modern and efficient prophylaxis.
Ms Schlee, what do you think are the most important prerequisites for a successful and efficient prophylaxis treatment?
Birgit Schlee: In order for a prophylaxis treatment to be successful, there are three main things that are particularly important. Firstly, you need a motivated and well-trained team that is up to date with all the latest developments. Secondly, a thorough review of the patient’s medical history is essential so that risk factors can be identified and planned treatment measures can be accurately assessed. And, finally, of course you need reliable and efficient working materials and tools. These include high-performance instruments and high-quality consumables, such as the correct prophy powders or prophy pastes. Of course, time management is also an important factor. It is not only about working as quickly as possible, but also about working effectively to deliver minimally-invasive treatments.
When did you start using MyLunos Duo from Dürr Dental, and how satisfied are you with the combination unit for ultrasonic and powder jet applications?
Birgit Schlee: We have been using MyLunos Duo for a few months now, and we are very happy with it. Why? Because it simply works! The combination of ultrasound and powder jet in a single unit is particularly impressive. This flexibility enables us to switch seamlessly between different applications during a treatment. For example, after biofilm management with the powder jet device I can go straight to using the unit in ultrasonic mode to remove stubborn deposits. For us, this makes our day-to-day workflows considerably more efficient and also saves time – which is something both we and our patients benefit from. Because the unit is so reliable, it becomes the perfect practice companion. And if we do ever have any questions, the customer service team from Dürr Dental is exceptional. You can really tell how much energy they invest in quality and customer satisfaction, and again this makes our work so much easier.
The unit has two powder chambers. Do you find this a useful improvement over a device with a single powder chamber?
Birgit Schlee: Absolutely! Because there are two powder chambers, you can switch between subgingival and subgingival applications during the treatment if needed – without first having to take out a chamber and swap it out for a different one. Depending on the function selected, I can also switch effortlessly between the ‘Supra’ and ‘Perio’ nozzles at the powder jet handpiece. I really appreciate the flexibility of simply being able to fill up the powder chambers how and when I want to. Another advantage is the high water solubility of the Lunos prophy powders. This not only makes for smooth, trouble-free application and provides me with a clear view inside the patient’s mouth, but it also protects the suction system.
Do you have a favourite powder in the Lunos range – and if so, why?
Birgit Schlee: Yes, my favourite is the Perio Combi powder. It is highly versatile and extremely comfortable for the patient. As an all-rounder, it is equally well suited to subgingival and supragingival applications and is an indispensable companion in our practice.
As I mentioned already, good water solubility is another big advantage of all the Lunos powders, which dissolve quickly in the mouth. Thanks to the wide range of different flavours available, we can also be sure to choose a flavour our patients will like.
What is your experience of switching from powder jet applications to ultrasonic applications? Were there any particular challenges?
Birgit Schlee: No, switching between the two is really effortless. The device has been designed to allow you to switch between applications quickly and without too much effort. This is a real advantage for our day-to-day work in the dental practice, particularly when it comes to treating different indications. Thanks to the clearly laid out and intuitive touch display, you can quickly change from supragingival to subgingival applications.
What impresses you particularly about the ultrasonic function of MyLunos Duo? What is your assessment of the range of available scaler instruments?
Birgit Schlee: With the ultrasonic function, I especially like that the preconfigured ‘Supra’ and ‘Perio’ modes are self-explanatory and therefore make the application particularly simple and safe. This is really helpful especially for more sensitive patients, as I can individually adjust the power settings. When it comes to the range of scaler instruments, there is a wide choice of different instruments that can be used depending on the particular indication. I prefer to use the S2 tip, as it is ideal for stubborn supragingival deposits, while the P10 tip is very well suited to subgingival areas. Overall, the different instruments enable very targeted and minimally-invasive treatment, which provides us with tremendous therapeutic flexibility.
What can you tell us about the process for reprocessing MyLunos Duo equipment?
Birgit Schlee: The device performs really well again here. What I particularly appreciate about the reprocessing process is that the handpieces and instruments can be reprocessed in a way that meets our very stringent hygiene requirements. With this well thought-out hygiene concept, Dürr Dental delivers the high levels of hygiene safety and reliability we are accustomed to.
Do you use any other products from the Lunos® prophylaxis system? What advantages do you think they offer?
Birgit Schlee: Yes, in fact we use the entire Lunos system in our dental practice. We particularly like that all the different products are carefully coordinated with each other. This enables us to tailor our prophylaxis treatment sessions to the individual needs of the patient – and all this with a single system. With optimised synergy effects across the product line, the system offers solutions from cleaning to fluoride treatments.
In July 2024 the German Dental Association published an updated recommendation for professional tooth cleaning, which set out a template for a “classic” treatment. What do you think of this recommendation?
Birgit Schlee: I think that this recommendation forms a good basis for a standardised approach that will serve as a valuable guide for prophylaxis treatments. However, every patient is different and needs to be treated in accordance with their own individual risk profile. In my day-to-day work, the focus is always on the patient first – and this makes it important for me to embed the full range of treatment options in my therapy approach.
If you could wish for one thing for the future of prophylaxis, what would that be?
Birgit Schlee: My biggest wish would be for us to really deliver an individualised approach to prophylaxis and not freeze in the face of rigid, one-size-fits-all concepts. After all, it is this broad and vibrant range of very diverse products and equipment that makes our day-to-day work in the practice so interesting and helps it come to life. For me, this is what makes prophylaxis fun!
That sounds like a brilliant approach! Frau Schlee, thank you very much for the interesting conversation and for the insight you have offered us into your work.