Keeping your patients safe by disinfecting surfaces in your dental practice is imperative. Completely sterilizing every room between patients seems impractical, though, and there are still things that need to be done while each patient is in the office either between procedures or even during them. 

In the midst of the SARS-COV-2 (novel coronavirus) pandemic, every practice wants to do whatever possible to protect their staff and patients against this virus while they’re in the office. This includes wiping down all surfaces that have been touched by patients and professionals alike. However, despite the difficulty in attaining disinfecting wipes during the pandemic, it is still important that wipes are deemed safe and effective against novel coronavirus.

A Broad Spectrum Disinfectant 

Both Optim Wipes and CaviWipes are considered “broad spectrum intermediate disinfectant” wipes that are effective on non-porous hard surfaces. The term “broad spectrum” means that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified the substance as able to eliminate organisms in all three major classifications.

In comparison, sanitizers can usually only eliminate bacteria, which is one of the three major classifications. Since Optim and Caviwipes are EPA registered, many dental practices alike like the safety aspect both wipes.

That being said, viruses are not considered living things and are part of their own classification. Many disinfectants are proven to eliminate traces of these viruses on some surfaces but there isn’t really any specific “broad spectrum” virus elimination product. However, it has been shown that most viruses don’t survive long on non-porous surfaces so disinfecting is usually a sufficient deterrent against viral pathogens. 

Stronger Than a Virus

Both Optim Wipes and CaviWipes are listed in the EPA category with other disinfectants that can kill pathogens stronger than the novel coronavirus. It stands to reason that, if this is the case, they will be effective in keeping the novel coronavirus out of the office and away from patients. While both types of disinfecting towelettes can accomplish this, both wipes have similarities and differences in regards to their ingredients properties and cleaning.

These days, dental offices are always looking for the highest quality of materials for their patients and especially with the pandemic novel coronavirus.

Choosing a generic brand of wipes vs. caviwipes optim is important because over time it can be harmful to your dental team, patients, or equipment, and dental chairs.

Cleaning Time and Efficiency

A broad spectrum disinfectant wipe must stay in contact with the surface you want to disinfect for a certain period of time in order to be effective. This means that the wipe needs to stay wet for the duration of the cleaning time.

Are Caviwipes and Optim Wipes the same thing?

Aside from both being cleaner and disinfectant wipes, there is actually quite a difference between the two types of wipes. They may look the same and share a similar goal, but their active ingredients properties are a clear tell of their individual make-up.

Optim 1 Wipes vs Caviwipes

CaviWipes manufacturted by Metrex uses a quaternary ammonium solution as their main ingredient. This can be very drying and users report that it takes several wipes to get an average tabletop or lab bench cleaned efficiently. 

Its main active ingredients include isopropanol, which is an alcohol and highly flammable. Cavi wipes also contain Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether and Diisobutyl Phenoxyethoxy Ethyl Dimethylbenzyl-ammonium chloride, which is a surfactant and disinfectant.

Optim1 Wipes manufactured by Scican are a non-toxic cloth germicidal disposable wipes. They use accelerated hydrogen peroxide as their main ingredient, which makes for a safer properties and cleaning abilities. Users report that it usually only takes one wipe to clean an average tabletop or lab bench and that it stays wet for the duration of cleaning. 

When you’re constantly wiping surfaces before, during, and after patients are in the office, you need as much efficiency as you can get. 

Quaternary Ammonium vs. Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide

Quaternary ammonium (the main ingredient in CaviWipes) is a common ingredient used in sanitation solutions. It seems like this would be a good thing and in a lot of ways that’s true. The main issue is that most cleaning wipes and solutions that are based in quaternary ammonium must be used on surfaces that are already clean. There are no ingredients in CaviWipes that suggest they’ll also be efficient in cleaning as well as disinfecting. 

Accelerated hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is a cleaning agent and the components in this ingredient are what allows the wipe to stay wet for longer as it’s being used to clean surfaces. Optim Wipes use this as their main ingredient. This is why they’re an efficient cleaning and disinfecting wipe. 

Safe for Office Use

Technically speaking, both CaviWipes and Optim Wipes are listed as safe for office use. However, there is a difference in their active ingredients, that allow safety makers to make a comparison with the safety of both wipes. They differ in their category infection control products, which is a major concern for some dental practices.

Optim Wipes use accelerated hydrogen peroxide. This and all the other ingredients in this product are considered non-toxic in all ways under EPA regulations. The label does not require a “hazardous materials” designation. 

In contrast, pre saturated with cavicide wipes use quaternary ammonium and isopropyl alcohol in their cleaning formula. These ingredients are deemed safe for office use, but are known to be eye irritants. Because of the isopropyl alcohol, the product requires special concerns for storage and special precautions for first aid since it is flammable. 

Extra Precautions for Employees

Since these extra precautions must be taken for storage and first aid, the employees that will be handling cavicide caviwipes must be trained in all precautions. The Material Safety Data Sheets show specific procedures to prevent fire and others to prevent and treat skin or eye irritation if the wipes come into contact with these surfaces. 

Employees should always be wearing protective gloves while handling caviwipes because of their ingredients are can damaging to the skin.

The MSDS lists many ingredients in caviwipes as combustable and precautions need to be taken for any ingestion, inhalation, or eye contact.

Optim Wipes don’t come with these same precautions. It is listed in the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating for a product that can still disinfect effectively. These wipes require no extra warnings and are not combustible. No extra training to use them will be required and there is no worry that a patient might accidentally use one and need treatment. 

Cleaning Multiple Surfaces

CaviWipes are able to disinfect hard and non-porous surfaces like tables, lab benches, and some instruments. This is sufficient for some offices or areas of the office but most areas also have at least some porous surfaces that will need to be cleaned and disinfected on a constant basis. If CaviWipes can’t clean these, you’ll need another agent to make sure they’re properly cleaned and disinfected between patients. 

It is also well known that cavicide caviwipes harsh properties are considered harmful for sensitive upholstery and can leave a environmental surface worn looking or damaged over time.

Optim Wipes can clean and disinfect porous surfaces such as upholstery and dental chairs. When patients leave the waiting room or you’re between patients, you can clean and disinfect the areas where they were quickly and efficiently. 

Consider Your Needs and Budget

In the end, it depends on what you need for your practice and how many patients are coming through every day. You may prefer to use a quaternary ammonia based product and the traffic and storage in your practice will allow for their use. But it’s important to consider everything, including cost effectiveness and your budget. You know your practice and your patients best. 

Budget wise, they are similar from several dental supply companies. You can usually purchase surface disinfectant wipes individually or in bulk.

Final Thoughts

It seems reasonable that most offices would opt for Optim 1 Wipes because they are great product surface disinfectants cleaners, but also offer safer ingredients for daily use. For minimal cost, they are highly effective and get the job done.