Every day, a dental suction system draws in saliva, blood, debris and rinsing liquids. Without maintenance, these residues build up in the circuit. Cattani provides a simple routine, shared between the practice staff and the technician. Here it is, step by step.
Why daily maintenance matters
According to the maintenance guide from Cattani ESAM UK, the manufacturer's subsidiary, daily maintenance reduces the build-up of bacteria in the system. It also prevents blockages and bad odours. A few minutes at the end of the day avoid interruptions in the middle of a consultation.
Who does what
Cattani distinguishes two levels:
- routine maintenance, carried out by trained practice staff;
- extraordinary maintenance, carried out by a trained technician, using original parts.
So train one or two people on the team. The routine must be done every day, even when someone is absent.
Every evening: Puli-Jet Plus 2.0 and Pulse Cleaner
The key step in the Cattani routine takes place in the evening. A solution of Puli-Jet Plus 2.0, a disinfectant with descaling action, is drawn through the circuit using the Pulse Cleaner.
The Pulse Cleaner is a turbulence generator. It circulates the cleaning solution through the pipes. It comes with 16 mm and 11 mm connectors and reducers for small tips. It therefore fits the various cannulas on the chair.
Puli-Jet Plus 2.0 comes in 4 bottles of 1 litre of concentrate. It is diluted to 0.8% or 1.6% depending on the action required. It is suitable for all dental suction systems, wet, semi-wet or dry, and is free of aldehydes and phenol.
For additional sanitizing cleaning, Cattani also offers Puli-Jet Classic: a detergent with deodorizing action, diluted to 5%. For its bactericidal action, leave it to work overnight, or for at least 1 hour.
Every day: tablets, display, separator
Anti-foam tablets
Every day, place the disinfecting anti-foam tablets in the chair filters. They prevent foam from forming, which can interrupt suction.
The suction system's display
Check the display every day for any alarm signals. In the event of a danger warning, contact the technician. The display on Smart suction systems shows vacuum, maintenance, current draw, machine temperature, amalgam level and operating hours. With the SmartApp application, you can also monitor the suction system's status from a tablet or smartphone.
The amalgam separator
On the Hydrocyclone ISO 18, replace the dirty filter every day. At the end of each day, clean and disinfect the unit with a product specific to suction systems and amalgam separators. When the display shows the container is 95% full, schedule its replacement: waiting until 100% can interrupt the practice's activity.
Periodically: filter and ventilation
- Periodically clean the suction unit filter.
- Occasionally check that nothing is obstructing the suction unit's ventilation.
The technician's visit
Extraordinary maintenance follows a longer schedule. For Smart suction systems, Cattani documentation provides for:
- every 12 months: check the maximum temperatures recorded and all alarm signals;
- every 12 months, if routine maintenance is not enough: replace the HEPA H14 absolute filter on the air outlet;
- every year: dismantle the upper part of the Hydrocyclone and clean all its components, in particular the five openings;
- every 18 to 24 months: check the condition of the centrifugal separator and the recirculation valve;
- every 10,000 operating hours: replace the motor bearings if necessary.
Before any technical intervention, Cattani requires several flushes with Puli-Jet Plus 2.0, followed by a 15-minute wait.
The case of the Aspi-Jet mobile suction unit
The Aspi-Jet follows its own routine:
- before the lunch break: clean the system with Puli-Jet Plus 2.0;
- at the end of each day: clean the filters and the unit with hot water and Puli-Jet Plus 2.0;
- every week: clean jars, lids and probes with a sponge and Puli-Jet diluted in hot water.
Use the products specified by Cattani
A practical point to bear in mind. According to the Smart manual, using unsuitable products or products other than those specified by Cattani may void the warranty. The same applies to incorrect use or work by unauthorized persons.
Put the routine up on the wall of the equipment room. Cattani publishes routine and extraordinary maintenance posters for the Turbo-Smart and Micro-Smart, available on the page Documentation. Details for each unit are on the page Maintenance, and the products on the page Hygiene.
A Cattani specialist can advise you
Want to train your team in the Cattani routine, or schedule extraordinary maintenance for your suction system? A Cattani specialist will support you.
Ask a Cattani specialist for advice
Sources: Cattani documentation, manual Smart 04-2024 (FR), p. 19, 20, 21, 32 and 36; Cattani documentation, Turbo-Smart / Micro-Smart extraordinary maintenance poster (Sept. 2023), p. 2; Cattani documentation, Turbo Smart brochure 02-2020, p. 4; Cattani documentation, manual Hydrocyclone ISO 18, p. 19 and 20; Cattani documentation, manual Aspi-Jet 10-2021 (FR), p. 15; Cattani documentation, manual Aspi-Jet 10-2021 (EN), p. 14; Cattani, product sheets Puli-Jet Plus 2.0, Puli-Jet Classic and disinfecting anti-foam tablets (cattani.it); Cattani ESAM UK (Cattani subsidiary), Smart suction maintenance guide, p. 2, 3 and 7.