Lighting Color Rendering for Dentistry

There is one other nugget of knowledge to add to lighting for dental offices (see March 12^th posting). Accurate color rendering is critical in dentistry. Whether placing a single crown or numerous veneers the goal is blend between the new and existing. The Color Rendering Index (CRI) of the fluorescent lighting in a dental operatory is critical to the success of your color matching!

In the operatory using a lamp with a CRI of 5500 degrees Kelvin creates the best “daylight” rendering available for color matching. To my knowledge Duro-Test is only manufacturer with a 5500 K lamp known as the “Vita-Lite” lamp. The lamp comes in 4’ lengths both with T-8 (energy efficient) and T-12 (non-efficient) sizes and replaces standard fluorescent lamping in your operatory troffers. (Note: Only troffers with T-8 electronic ballasts can efficiently run the T-8 lamps.)

But wait! Impact the light quality in the rest of your office by relamping other existing fluorescent fixtures with 3500 degree Kelvin lamps. They come in all sorts of types and sizes and enhance and warm the interior colors in your office while creating natural, healthy looking skin tones! No more unhealthy greenish cast from those 2700 degree Kelvin lamps.

So, where does one find these lamps?

• In Seattle our Home Depot stores stock 4’ long 3500 K fluorescent lamps.
• Or, you can order any lamp type through Pacific Lamps (206) 767-5334; they ship by UPS anywhere in the country.
• For Duro-Test, order direct at 800-289-3876 or http://www.duro-test.com

Still not sure? Call me at 206-706-2820 or email me pictures of your practice’s lighting at Janice@SEIseattle.com and I will point you in the right direction!

Dental Office Energy Efficiency

Kevin Henry's article in March's Dental Economics lends a great perspective on small ways that dental practices can reduce waste by recycling and save energy by using compact fluorescent lamping (light bulbs). Kevin hit on some key benefits, here are two more to consider.

Most dental operatories have fluorescent troffers to provide a high light level at the chair and minimize the contrast between the bright oral cavity and surrounding room. A troffers looks like a large rectangular box and can either be recessed into the ceiling or mounted on the surface. Older troffers use 40 watt T-12 lamps, which are not energy efficient and, in addition, generate a lot of heat output. This output will add to the heat of the Doctor, Assistant, and Patient physical proximity. And, if you are in a warmer climate your older fluorescent lighting can be a large driver of increased energy costs by requiring much more cooling.

Retrofitting an existing troffer with new electronic ballasts and 32 watt T-8 fluorescent lamps will create large savings. As Osram, a major US fluorescent lamp manufacturer, notes on their web site:

“T8 Lamps Improve Efficiency: …A 32-watt OCTRON® T8 lamp, for example, uses 20 percent less energy to provide the same light output as a 40- watt T12 lamp…In addition, T8 lamps provide optimum system efficiency when used with electronic ballasts. This combination provides such dramatic savings in energy costs that billions of dollars are being spent each year to retrofit existing T12 installations with more efficient T8 technology.”

Essentially by retrofitting, or better yet, replacing your old fixtures with new electronic ballasted troffers and lamping you will realize significant savings and return on your investment! In this economy that is a win-win for your bottom line, the economy, and your carbon footprint.

If you have questions please contact me, I am here to help!