What is ANSI/ADA Standard No. 89 about?
This standard gives requirements and test methods for operating lights used in the dental office and intended for illuminating the oral cavity of patients, irrespective of the technology of the light source.
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Standard No. 89
What are the requirements I should know about for dental operating lights?
- Operating lights shall be designed, constructed and manufactured so that, when properly transported, stored, installed, used and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions, they cause no danger which could reasonably be foreseen to the patient, to the dental office personnel or to the surroundings in normal use.
- Operating lights shall be capable of being adjusted so as to permit illumination of the oral cavity in all patient operating positions. Optical requirements include level of illuminance, illumination areas, illumination uniformity and level of illuminance in patient’s eyes. Mechanical requirements cover moving parts, operating controls, rotary movement and general stability.
What’s the bottom line?
The aim of this standard is to provide the dentist and their staff with means that enable them to work with optimum visual ease and comfort, i.e. a visual acuity of 90% to 100% according to zone, without adversely affecting their perception of color or causing excessive fatigue.