game changing self curing composite International Update

PPE price gouging during the pandemic

SDI Limited has launched Stela, a new bulk fill flowable self-cure composite that is widely lauded as an amalgam replacement and the future of composites. This innovative restorative is the result of a partnership between SDI scientists and engineers from three leading Australian universities: the University of New South Wales; the University of Sydney; and the University of Wollongong.

As a self-curing bulk fill composite, Stela offers an unlimited depth of cure with low polymerisation stress. Stela is applied in a simplified two-step process; primer and composite. This efficient 15 second process reduces your in-chair time by eliminating traditional preparation steps such as etch, bonding systems and light curing.

Stela Primer contains a catalyst that initiates the curing process at the restoration interface and not from the occlusal surface like traditional light curing processes. This polymerisation sequence mitigates stress to enable a gap-free interface, reducing post-operative sensitivity and the risk of premature failure.

The Stela initiator system starts a snap set fast cure to convert monomers into polymer chains. Simultaneously, these chains become rapidly and densely cross-linked to each other, forming a complex network. This network reliably binds fillers, resulting in impressive mechanical properties. With very high compressive and flexural strengths, Stela is the ultimate highperformance composite and the ideal amalgam replacement for Classes I, II, III and V.

Both Stela Primer and Stela composite contain the 10-MDP monomer to ensure high bond strength to dentine and enamel, providing long lasting restorations with a flawless marginal seal. Stela also offers outstanding radiopacity of 308% Al to aid diagnosis. The formulation contains fluoride, calcium and strontium and is also BPA and HEMA free.

Stela is available in either capsule or syringe delivery systems in one universal shade with chameleon effect for excellent aesthetic results.

Stela is an Australian innovation, developed and manufactured in Australia and distributed to over 100 countries.

For more information, contact SDI at www.sdi.com.au.

As the world prepared and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, a rapid increase in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) led to severe shortages worldwide.In a 151-bed hospital located in Chicago, Illinois, PPE market prices paid were tracked during the first surge of the pandemic (AprilJune 2020), in terms of the maximum cost per unit (CPU) of PPE, compared with pre-pandemic (April-June 2019) prices in US dollars. The analysis included disposable gowns, N95 respirators, face masks and gloves. PPE prices were significantly higher during the first wave of the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic prices. The CPU for gloves increased from $0.05 to $0.12; surgical face masks from $0.05 to $0.45; N95 respirators from $0.98 to $7.40; and disposable gowns from $0.87 to $6.60. Based on the peak prices, the CPU for gloves rose by 2.5 times, face masks by 11 times, N95 respirators by 8 times, and gowns by 13.7 times compared with the pre-pandemic price. Before the pandemic, hospitals were spending ˜$7 per patient on PPE and this rose to $20.40 during the first wave of COVID-19 in August 2020. Multiple factors likely contributed to high prices, including demand shock, disrupted supply chains and a rush to acquire PPE by healthcare systems and by the general population alike. The global PPE supply chain did not properly operate to meet the demands of healthcare systems across the world. Many factors such as the shortage of raw materials, export bans and restraints in logistics contributed to 4-6 month backlogs for global supply orders of PPE. Several strategies for pandemicspecific supply-chain management can be suggested: global PPE standards, production changeover, joint procurement, multiple sourcing, monitoring PPE use and visibility of orders, improving supply systems and sharing responsibility and improving domestic manufacturing surge capacity during the event. To develop resilient supply chains, local capacity for essential items should be developed, along with an increase and diversification in international production sites. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for policy reconciliation to prevent future supply chain failures and inevitably price surging for essential materials such as PPE.

Patel R, et al. Cost of personal protective equipment during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (2023), 1–2. doi:10.1017/ice.2023.115

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