08 June 2021
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A network of 27 dental practices operating mainly in Yorkshire and the North East has started a programme to install Panasonic’s nanoe X technology to enhance protection for patients and staff whenever new air conditioning units are required or where units need to be replaced.
The nanoe X technology is helping to improve protection against and inhibit the growth of certain viruses – including SARS CoV-2.
Riverdale Healthcare was established in 2018, acquiring Alpha Dental Group which has a long-standing relationship with Sub Zero Climate Control, who have installed and maintained air conditioning through the practice network. Through discussions with Craig Brooke, managing director of Sub Zero, Riverdale Healthcare took the step of updating two of its practices with enhanced air conditioning and plan to expand this throughout its network.
Ian Gordon, dental director of Riverdale Healthcare, said: “When the pandemic hit in 2020, I was invited to a webinar about how Korea was finding that air filtration and air purification was perhaps contributing to keep the country’s cases lower than elsewhere in the world. Early on during the first lockdown in the UK, advice was to not use air conditioning, which made everything very uncomfortable as we were working for long periods wearing all the extra PPE and with the soaring temperatures hitting record levels last summer. It therefore seemed logical to me to have air conditioning with some kind of filtration built into the units, so I was really interested in this idea.”
Sub Zero recommended the Etherea range of air conditioners which come with Panasonic’s nanoe X built in. The technology collects moisture in the air and applies a high voltage to it to generate hydroxyl radicals contained in water. Hydroxyl radicals (nature’s detergent) inhibit the growth of certain viruses, bacteria and allergens. Recent independent testing showed that nanoe X can inhibit certain types of bacteria and viruses, meaning the new air conditioning system can help protect patients and staff.
Air conditioning distributor AMP worked with Sub Zero on the project. Leanne Mace, senior sales engineer at AMP, said: “I have worked with Craig for many years and one characteristic that has always stood out is his interest and enthusiasm to embrace new technologies so that he can always put forward the most appropriate solution for his customers. I was pleased to be able to assist in supplying Panasonic’s test data and research information for Craig to get a true understanding of the possibilities it offers his customers.”
Craig Brooke added: “After a lot of research we knew that nanoe X would be the right fit for Riverdale and that Ian would appreciate the technology behind it. Both Ian and I looked into the research and test results and were both happy with the inhibitory findings of the results and felt it could only be a positive investment for Riverdale.
"Everyone has faced huge changes and challenges in the last 12 months, particularly the dental sector. We have always tried to be innovative as a company and be in a position to offer the best solutions to our customers to suit their needs and we feel we have achieved this by using Panasonic nanoe X technology.''
