Snap-A-Ray DS Sensor Holder
DENTSPLY Rinn
Snap-A-Ray DS is an easy-to-use, time-saving universal sensor holder.
The Snap-A-Ray holder from DENTSPLY Rinn has been used in dentistry since 1947 to hold film. The Snap-A-Ray DS is now available to hold digital sensors. According to the manufacturer, this universal sensor holder is easy to use and saves time. Sensors can be quickly loaded and placed and then easily removed. In addition, because they are autoclavable, DENTSPLY Rinn states that the use of Snap-A-Ray DS holders results in a lower cost per use versus disposable holders.
Fourteen dentists, hygienists, and assistants participated in the evaluation of Snap-A-Ray DS. In addition to an overall satisfaction rating, the evaluators rated the holders on such items as ease of loading and placing, sensor security, and patient comfort.
Ease of Loading and Placing
According to DENTSPLY Rinn, Snap-A-Ray DS holders allow users to quickly load and place digital sensors for accurate periapical radiographs. The company also offers the option of a 2-in-1 aiming ring and arm kit.
When asked about the ease of loading and placing the sensors using Snap-A-Ray DS, 8 evaluators rated the holders as excellent, 2 rated them as very good, 1 rated them as good, 2 rated them as fair, and 1 rated them as poor. The evaluator who gave this feature a poor rating said that it was difficult to fit her Schick sensors. However, an evaluator from Roslyn Heights, NY, who also uses Schick sensors, rated ease of loading and placing as excellent and said, ?This is the best version of a Snap-A-Ray for digital sensors I have seen yet.? In addition, 8 of the evaluators?who used a variety of sensors including Schick, Dexis, Gendex, and Kodak?named ease of loading and placing as the feature they liked best about the Snap-A-Ray DS holders. A dentist from Midvale, UT, with 11 years of experience, said, ?It was much simpler to load than traditional sensor holders.?
Sensor Security
Thirteen evaluators said that security of the sensor is a very important or important feature to consider when purchasing a digital sensor holder; 1 evaluator named this feature as neutral.
When the evaluators were asked to rate whether sensors are always secure when using Snap-A-Ray holders, 4 rated the holder as excellent, 6 rated it as very good, 2 rated it as good, and 1 each rated it as fair and poor. An assistant with 18 years of experience who practices in Bay City, MI, said, ?[Snap- A-Ray] holds the sensor securely, and it?s very easy to load.?
Patient Comfort
When asked about the importance of patient comfort when purchasing a digital sensor holder, all of the evaluators said it is very important or important. During the evaluation period, the evaluators asked their patients for feedback regarding the comfort of the Snap-A-Ray DS holders. Five of the evaluators rated Snap-A-Ray DS holders as excellent with regard to patient comfort, 4 rated it as very good, 4 rated it as good, and 1 rated it as fair.
A hygienist with 25 years of experience said, ?The comfort level of the patient seems to be the best so far.? This same evaluator gave the Snap-A-Ray an overall satisfaction rating of excellent and said she would definitely purchase it in the future and recommend it to colleagues. A dentist with 22 years of experience said, ?It?s a great improvement for those of us who prefer Snap-A-Ray holders to the flimsy bite tabs.?
Overall Satisfaction
Nine evaluators said they would definitely purchase Snap-A-Ray digital sensor holders in the future and recommend them to colleagues. When asked to give their overall satisfaction rating for the holders, 6 rated them as excellent, 4 rated them as very good, 1 rated them as good, 2 rated them as fair, and 1 rated them as poor.
One evaluator said, ?The [Snap- A-Ray] sensor holder takes a familiar technique and makes it available for use with digital sensors. Where positioning of digital sensors may have at one time been a concern, it is no longer an issue with innovative products like the Snap- A-Ray positioner. It is definitely an improvement over previous attempts at a universal positioner.?
