Can you identify faults in a high-speed handpiece?

Where would the world of dentistry be without the high-speed air turbine? The first example of a commercially manufactured foot treadle dental engine was produced by James Morrison in 1871 (Stephens, 1986). Gradually, further examples came along with an increase in the revolutions per minute (rpm) too. The modern air turbine now operates between 300 000 rpm and 500 000 rpm and is taken for granted in many dental surgeries. There are several designs and manufacturers of high-speed air turbines available. Kavo (Kavo Dental) has been reported as the most frequently used handpiece in dental practice (Smith et al, 2009)

Modern handpieces are able to withstand more stress than ever before, with more stringent sterilisation processes now in place. As with any piece of equipment, the responsibility for ensuring it is fit for purpose lies with the clinician. With this in mind, the authors felt the teaching of handpiece inspection was missing in undergraduate teaching.