Anmar Janabi, BDS, MSD, a second-year endodontics resident at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, has patented a smart assistant device designed to help dentists suction patients single-handedly.
“One of the challenges a clinician may face is the unavailability of dental assistants, whether they need to step away or because the office is understaffed,” said Janabi. “This creates extra work for the clinician and can be frustrating, time consuming, and even unsafe, especially when suction is needed to remove caustic materials used for root canal irrigation.”
Janabi created two different devices, both sterilizable and reusable, or disposable. The Smart Evacuator is metal, and the Smart Hook is plastic. Both evacuate water coolant and caustic irrigants during endodontic treatment such as restorations and root canals.
Experience inspired the inventions.
“Residents and dental students often have to multitask without a dental assistant. This is a major concern in all academic programs in the US. It’s good for students and residents because we don’t have an assistant to help us all the time. There simply aren’t enough assistants for each resident,” Janabi said.
“One hundred percent of root canals need a rubber dam to collect water,” he said, and 10% to 30% of restorations, depending on the clinician’s preference.”
Janabi and his work were recognized in the table clinics division during the recent American Association of Endodontists (AAE) meeting. With awards going to the 10 highest scoring endodontics postgraduate presenters in each category, Janabi placed fourth in his division.
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