A Mask You Can Trust with a Modern Twist

While masks became a wardrobe addition for most of the world in recent years, they’ve been an essential part of dentistry for decades. It’s no secret, however, that sorting through the marketplace maze to search for quality masks, along with other personal protective equipment (PPE), can be a challenge. It’s an especially heavy lift now that counterfeit products abound, a direct result of pandemic-related supply shortages. While it’s a cinch to find low-priced masks, these “gray market” products likely don’t meet safety and quality standards, leaving clinicians and dental staff to worry and doubt what’s effective and what’s not—and that can be dangerous for both sides of the dental chair. But CRITERION essentially eliminates all those worries.

Originally established in 2003, Henry Schein’s CRITERION brand recently expanded and now includes a head-to-toe line of PPE, including protective eyewear, garments, shoe covers, and gloves. The brand also includes a wide selection of reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective earloop masks that provide the protection and peace of mind clinicians require and patients expect.

New Color!

Adding to its popular line of masks, CRITERION recently launched Level 1 and 3 masks in a new black color. The masks continue to be available in a variety of other colors as well, including blue, lavender, pink, yellow, white, and teal.

“In our office, the new black color goes better with the overall cosmetics of the office,” said Jessica Allbritten, CRDH, BASDH, in Dunedin, FL. “The color is more professional, less medical-looking, and more toned down for nervous patients. It also creates a conversation, so the unusual black color can take patients' minds off their upcoming procedures, which is helpful."

Quality, Comfort, and Safety

ASTM-rated and disposable, CRITERION 3-ply masks feature comfortable earloops and a flexible nosepiece, along with a pleated design for added comfort and enhanced breathability.

While Malee Wong, RDH, in Castle Rock, CO, agreed that the new black color is "less medical-looking and less intimidating" than the standard mask colors worn in most dental offices, she also pointed out that the Henry Schein masks have the CRITERION logo sewn into the bottom corner.

“The logo adds sophistication and quality assurance to the masks,” Wong added. “It’s a well-designed mask that meets ASTM performance standards, which sets it apart from so many masks that are being sold today.

”The soft, nonirritating inner and outer layer is not made with natural rubber latex, and the material is designed to be gentle on the skin.

“These masks are very comfortable and have no smell,” Wong shared. “The nose clip has a sturdy thickness and remains secure under my loupes, and the inner lining is soft—my sensitive skin had no issues after using these masks.”

“You can just tell this is a Henry Schein mask,” Allbritten shared. “We’ve probably used at least 30 different masks over the last few years, and these are the way to go—the texture is great, there's no 'fuzzies' on the inside to tickle and irritate your nose while you're trying to work, and there’s no fogging, which is important because we all wear loupes and earpieces. It’s a great-fitting, comfortable mask that fits around the cheeks well without a large, gaping hole on the side. The nose piece is stiff, and it's not uncomfortable on the bridge of my nose. It stays put and doesn't slip, and it does not leave a dent in my nose. I feel confident that I am safe whenever I wear this mask.”

Color-Coded Packaging

All CRITERION products feature new color-coded packaging that displays color, size, reorder numbers, and other essential information prominently on the box, a feature that’s designed both to simplify the reordering process for dental practices and make it easy to locate and grab the correct PPE from the shelf—especially in today's busy operatories.

Safe and Stylish Masks

Final thoughts on the CRITERION Level 1 and 3 earloop masks, now offered in the new black color? “They’re sleek, comfortable, and, most importantly, protective,” said Wong. Allbritten agreed, adding that the black masks are “stylish, inexpensive, and provide effective full coverage.”

“I prefer using genuine Henry Schein Brand masks to ensure that I am protected as a healthcare professional,” Wong shared. “Most masks purchased on the ‘gray market’ don’t specify filtration level, and I believe that wearing any of those would be similar to not wearing any mask at all. With these CRITERION masks, I can be assured they’ll be top-notch, high quality, and highly protective.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

800.372.4346

henryscheindental.com/criterion