Product Evaluation

If they were handed a magic wand, what improvements would hygienists make to their handpieces? For Jessica Dusseault, a wave of that fictional wand would provide better control and accuracy during polishing. For Jessica Raymond-Allbritten, it would reduce the wrist strain caused by a heavy handpiece with difficult grip rotation.

For both hygienists, their wishes would come true with Henry Schein’s powerful, durable, lightweight ACCLEAN Hygiene Handpiece 2. With excellent torque and a user-friendly ergonomic design, this next-generation handpiece provides smooth, responsive operation while maximizing user comfort.

The ACCLEAN Hygiene Handpiece 2’s “motor was so smooth,” Dusseault reported. “Attachment of prophy angles was a breeze, and the consistent speed kept them adapted to the tooth at a nice angulation for optimal polishing.” For Raymond-Allbritten, “the smooth rotation of the grip is just phenomenal; it makes polishing more effective and efficient.” And, as she had hoped, she said, “The lightweight design reduced my wrist strain.”

Ease of Operation and Maintenance

The ACCLEAN Hygiene Handpiece 2 operates very smoothly for ease of use and clinician comfort. Stainless-steel construction ensures durability and longevity, and the autoclavable handpiece is easily maintained with a simple and highly efficient no-lube motor.

Describing it as easy to use and better than her current handpiece, hygienist Corey Skriver was im-pressed by the “very smooth rotary and speed” and said “everything worked perfectly.” Kristi Evansen, RDH, “enjoyed the smooth operation, lack of splatter, and swivel feature” and found it “overall easier to use than some of the smaller handpieces.” She said, “It was easy to attach and remove, which made setup and cleanup more efficient” and also “loved that it didn’t need to be oiled.” Mandy Macachor also “liked that the handpiece is easy to connect and easy to sterilize and maintain,” and Sarah Hester said the mechanics of the handpiece ran well but the swivel coupler did not swivel easily.

Polishing Effectiveness and Efficiency

Optimal power and access ensure effective and efficient polishing with both the nonswivel and the swivel model, the latter of which features quick disconnect for better maneuverability. Compatible with all standard disposable prophy angles, the Hygiene Handpiece 2 has easy-to-change bands in 5 colors to ease identification.

“The cone spun very easily, moving to different parts of the mouth quickly and comfortably,” said Hester, and Skriver appreciated the ease of polishing and adaptability to disposable prophy angles. “It’s so nice to be able to move around the mouth with flexibility without something getting in your way,” shared Raymond-Allbritten.

Dusseault pointed out several features that lessened polishing time for her, including “the ease of attachment of the prophy angles, the lightweight pickup and replacement of the handpiece to the unit, and the patient experience of consistent speed and minimal motor noise.” Compared to “other prophy handpieces that break, slow down, or are too loud,” the Hygiene Handpiece 2 “was easy to use and reliable” for Macachor, who could think of only 1 possible improvement—to improve visibility. “At certain angles the thicker portion of the handpiece obstructs a clear view of the teeth being polished,” she explained. Dusseault suggested some rubber grips as “a nice addition because of how lightweight the handpiece is.”

Ergonomics and Noise Level

Amy Lindsey found the Hygiene Handpiece 2 “easier to grasp and more ergonomic, and easier on my wrist because it swivels,” and Evansen said, “It has a lightweight but solid feel.” Describing the handpiece as “lightweight and easy to hold with a light grip,” Macachor stated, “It’s designed with clinician ergonomics in mind.”

The handpiece’s quiet operation was another feature that impressed several evaluators. “I never realized how loud the motor was in other handpieces until experiencing this one. It’s the most silent type I’ve ever used,” declared Dusseault. Raymond-Allbritten agreed that “patients noticed a difference with the sound of the handpiece,” with some commenting on how quiet it was. “This quieter handpiece improves patient comfort” for those who dislike the noise,” shared Macachor. “Not one of my many nervous/anxiety-ridden patients felt uncomfortable with this handpiece.”

Overall Satisfaction

It turns out that Raymond-Allbritten doesn’t need a magic wand after all, be-cause the ACCLEAN Hygiene Handpiece 2 is “a quality product that produces great results for patients while reducing clinician hand and wrist strain.” All of the evaluating hygienists agreed they would recommend this handpiece to colleagues. Explaining that she “would be very happy to use this handpiece on a daily basis,” Macachor concluded, “This handpiece is simply easy to use. Equipment that improves a clinician’s already busy day is the type of equipment that is a 10/10 in my book!”