Overview
ISO 13397-5:2015 - part of the ISO 13397 series - specifies the designs and dimensions for Jacquette scalers, a type of straight-bladed dental scaler with two cutting edges and a pointed tip used to remove supragingival and/or interproximal deposits. The standard defines required shapes, measurement points, dimensional limits and tolerances, and reference symbols used to describe the instrument geometry.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: Clear definitions (e.g., Jacquette scaler, shank, functional shank, terminal shank) are aligned with ISO 1942 vocabulary.
- Design illustrations and tables: The standard includes diagrams (Figure 1) and tables that list accepted types (e.g., J14, J15, J30–J38) and their dimensional parameters.
- Dimensional parameters: Key dimensions specified include blade width, blade thickness, blade length, and length to first bend - identified by symbols (b1, b2, b3, l) and measured at defined datum points.
- Angular parameters: Cutting angle (α), offset angle (β), terminal shank angle (δ), secondary shank angle (φ) and secondary shank offset (θ) are specified with tolerances.
- Overall length limits and sizing: Maximum overall instrument length ≤ 178 mm; single-side instruments specified at 150 mm.
- Tolerances and measurement: Numeric tolerances for linear and angular dimensions are provided and measurement methods reference ISO 13397-1 (Annex A) for consistent verification.
- Normative references: ISO 1942 and ISO 13397-1 are required references for terminology and general requirements.
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO 13397-5 is intended for:
- Manufacturers and designers of periodontal curettes and dental scalers for product design, tooling, and quality control.
- Quality assurance and inspection labs to verify dimensional conformity and maintain production tolerances.
- Regulatory and procurement teams specifying accepted instrument dimensions for medical device registration and purchasing.
- Dental educators and clinics who need to understand instrument types and standard nomenclature for training and inventory.
- Standards bodies and test houses referencing a common specification to ensure interchangeability and safety.
Practical benefits include improved product consistency, easier supplier evaluation, harmonized communication on instrument geometry, and reduced risk of nonconforming dental instruments.
Related standards
- ISO 13397-1:1995 - General requirements for periodontal curettes, dental scalers and excavators
- ISO 1942 - Dentistry - Vocabulary
Keywords: ISO 13397-5:2015, Jacquette scalers, dental scalers standard, periodontal instruments, dental instrument dimensions, ISO dentistry.