Two hygiene clinicians weigh in on the space-saving design, simple controls, and bright, new colors of the BioSonic US200, calling it a go-to for both students and hygienists
When ultrasonic scalers efficiently remove calculus and feature easy-to-use control knobs and foot pedals, they streamline hygiene workflows and reduce chair time. And that's why the BioSonic US200 scaler is a must-have for Lindsay Alfaro, RDH, AOMT-C, in Santa Cruz, CA. It's also a popular draw for students at Tooth and Talent Institute, a Bowling Green, KY, training center owned by Christie J. Baker, EFDA III, CDA, RDA, CRFDA.
Convenient Controls, Sleek Appearance
With an intuitive interface, precise water flow control, LED indicator light, and ergonomic design, the BioSonic US200 is now available in 4 vivid colors: pink, dark teal, cyan, and purple, in addition to its original black. For Baker, the scaler’s sleek appearance, generous power controls, and compact footprint make it a favorite among her students.
“The BioSonic US200 really piques the interest of my students because we all enjoy seeing the vibrant colors, and very little in dentistry actually has color,” said Baker, who teaches her dental assisting students how to operate the unit so they can set up correctly for clinicians. "Many of my assistants are now leaning into cross-training for assisted hygiene and coronal polishing, as more states begin moving toward approving scaling workflows for assistants."
The BioSonic US200 offers ergonomic inserts with Super Soft cushion grips that reduce finger fatigue and increase tactile sensitivity and control.
Press the Pedal to the Metal
For Alfaro, it's the 2-stage foot pedal with turbo activation for heavy calculus that sets the ultrasonic scaler apart from others.
“I love the foot pedal!" said Alfaro, who has worked with more than 10 scalers throughout her career.
"With other scalers, I’ve had to take the machine out of the patient’s mouth, flip the turbo button on the console, and then reorient myself and the patient to continue treatment. I also like the longer cord because I stand during my treatments, and I’ve worked with scalers that have very short cords.”
Time-saving automatic insert detection switches between 25 kHz and 30 kHz inserts, eliminating manual programming and reducing the chance for error.
Easier to Use
“From an educational standpoint, this scaler is different because it’s much more user-friendly than others,” Baker added. “The fact that it automatically detects the type of insert being used and is compatible with any insert is very helpful for busy workflows.”
“It has a light that lets me know if I’m not using enough water,” Alfaro added. “I’ve never had a device that has that feature. Many times, I’ll wish equipment has a certain feature from another model, but with the BioSonic US200, I never think that because it just feels really complete.”
