ADA standards on cartridge syringes, athletic mouth protectors available for review
Two draft standards are available from the American Dental Association for review and comment until May 23.
Proposed ANSI/ADA Standard No. 34 for Dentistry — Cartridge Syringes is a modified adoption of ISO 9997:2020 Dentistry — Cartridge Syringes. It specifies requirements and test methods for cartridge syringes used in dentistry. These syringes are of the nonaspirating, aspirating and self-aspirating types using cartridges with dental local anesthetics. The standard is not applicable to cartridge syringes having a mechanical-advantage action for creating high pressure. It specifies requirements for cartridge syringes with International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, metric thread sizes while drawing attention to the existence of a variety of syringes with imperial thread sizes.
Proposed ANSI/ADA Standard No. 99 for Dentistry — Athletic Mouth Protectors and Materials specifies requirements and test methods for assessing the physical properties of athletic mouth protectors and materials devices. These include thermoplastic, thermosetting and digitally processed materials, with or without a polymeric shell, that can be formed into an athletic mouth protector either on a model of the dental arch or intraorally directly upon the teeth. The standard also lists the types and classifications of mouth protectors and the requirements for manufacturer's instructions, packaging, labeling and marking for these devices.
Kent T. Ochiai, D.D.S., Ph.D., who is the project lead on Standard No. 99, said the standard is both timely and necessary in light of advances in the design and production of athletic mouth protectors.
“Perhaps most significant, a new category for instrument mouth protectors that contain specialized devices to measure head impact accelerations or vital sign measures during contact sports activities is now required for wear during field play and now part of an athlete protection protocol by World Rugby as of March 2024,” Dr. Ochiai said. “As these new athlete protection devices become more recognized by other sports organizations and incorporated into their concussion and athlete safety protocols, the availability of this new document can also be of direct impact for those new contact sports planned for introduction to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
To obtain a copy of the draft standards, visit ADA.org/aipreview.
The ADA is an American National Standards Institute-Accredited Standards Developer and has played a key role in the development of dental standards since 1928. These standards establish requirements for safe and effective dental products and technologies through a consensus-based process.
The ADA Standards Program working groups that develop the standards include a diverse mix of expert volunteers representing dental practitioners, industry, government and academia. Involvement is open to anyone who would like to contribute their expertise.
To learn more and join, visit ADA.org/dentalstandards.
