Before Anything Else: Two Valid Methods, Not One

Dentsply Sirona documents two separate, equally valid ways to clean and lubricate the Nupro RDH between patients: one using the Midwest Plus Maintenance Kit with a dropper bottle, the other using Midwest Plus Aerosol Spray. Pick whichever matches what your practice already stocks, but follow the specific steps for that method rather than mixing elements of both.

Method One: Maintenance Kit

Clean the External Surface

Remove the prophy cup or angle by holding the sheath and rotating it counterclockwise.
Disconnect the handpiece from its supply hose, then spray the exterior with Midwest Plus Handpiece Cleaner.
Scrub and rinse all external surfaces under warm tap water.
Dry thoroughly using gauze, a paper towel, or an air syringe.

Lubricate and Expel

Place three drops of Midwest Plus Handpiece Lubricant into the drive air tube, the shorter of the two larger tubes, typically gold-colored.
Run the handpiece on a Midwest Handpiece Air Station, or another air source, until it reaches normal speed, ensuring the internal motor is fully lubricated.
Wipe off any excess lubricant on the outside with a dry gauze pad or tissue, then proceed to sterilization.

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Method Two: Aerosol Spray

Scrub and Rinse

Remove the prophy cup or angle the same way as Method One.
Disconnect the handpiece from its hose.
Scrub and rinse external surfaces under warm tap water using a sponge.
Dry thoroughly using gauze, a paper towel, or an air syringe.

Clean, Lubricate, Expel

Using the Midwest Backend Attachment nozzle, apply one quick spray of Midwest Plus Aerosol Spray into the drive air tube of the handpiece.
Run the handpiece on an air source for 30 seconds, or until normal speed is reached and all excess spray has been expelled.
Dry thoroughly, then proceed to sterilization.

The One Thing to Actively Avoid

Directly from Dentsply Sirona's own instructions

Since the use of automatic oiling does not eliminate the need for routine maintenance, the oiler should be disconnected. Do not use oil mist lubrication; excess oil may hinder performance.

If your practice runs automatic oiling systems for other handpieces on the same delivery unit, make sure the Nupro RDH isn't inadvertently included; this is one of the clearest documented exceptions in Dentsply Sirona's entire Midwest product range.

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Sterilization Parameters

Method	Full Cycle Options
Gravity steam sterilization	121°C (250°F) for 30 minutes, or 132°C (270°F) for 15 minutes
Dynamic air removal	132°C (270°F) for 4 minutes, or 135°C (275°F) for 3 minutes

Enclose the handpiece in a sterilization pouch rated for steam sterilization, and follow your sterilizer manufacturer's own instructions for placement and cycle operation. Once the cycle completes, keep the handpiece in its pouch until it's needed in the operatory; no further lubrication is required before use.

Weekly Swivel Care

Separately from per-patient cleaning, Dentsply Sirona specifies a weekly (or as-needed) swivel maintenance step: place two drops of lubricant at the swivel junction, twist the swivel to work the lubricant into the connection, then wipe the handpiece clean. This is the single habit most responsible for keeping the handpiece rotating smoothly over its working life.

Right Angle Attachment: Extra Steps

If you're running the Right Angle version (REF 740020/740030), there are additional steps beyond the standard routine above.

Every 40 Prophies, or Once a Week

Unscrew the angle from the handpiece.
Place the angle in a beaker of Midwest Plus Handpiece Cleaner and clean ultrasonically for ten minutes.
Scrub and rinse under warm tap water.
Dry thoroughly.

Lubricating the Gears

Apply one drop of Midwest Plus Handpiece Lubricant on the gears inside the head. Do not fill the head full, since excess lubricant will leak from the seal
Apply one drop of lubricant to the gear teeth on the handpiece sheath
Reassemble and continue with the standard sterilization process

Storage and Handling

Allow the handpiece to cool completely after sterilization before handling it
Keep sterilized handpieces in their pouches until ready for use in the operatory
Store color bands and spare parts in a clean, dry location alongside your handpiece inventory

Mistakes Worth Avoiding

Leaving an automatic oiler connected to the Nupro RDH
Using oil mist lubrication instead of the documented drop or spray method
Overfilling the Right Angle head with lubricant rather than a single drop
Skipping the weekly swivel lubrication step
Using the handpiece before it has cooled completely after sterilization
Skipping the every-40-prophies ultrasonic cleaning on Right Angle heads

What Actually Extends This Handpiece's Working Life

Because the Nupro RDH has so few moving assemblies compared to a turbine handpiece, its longevity really comes down to two specific habits: the weekly swivel lubrication, and for Right Angle users, the every-40-prophies head cleaning. Get those two right consistently, and there's very little else on this handpiece left to go wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pick one maintenance method and stick with it, or can I switch between the dropper and aerosol spray?

Either documented method is valid; what matters is following the full steps for whichever one you're using at a given time, rather than mixing elements of both into a shortened routine.

Why is the Right Angle head cleaned ultrasonically when the rest of the handpiece isn't?

The reusable head's internal gears benefit from the deeper cleaning an ultrasonic bath provides, while the handpiece body itself is cleaned manually under running water. Dentsply Sirona documents these as two separate processes for a reason.

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Nupro RDH Hygienist Handpiece Maintenance | Repair.Dental