Lompoc dental supplies company using inventory to pump out hand sanitizer

LOMPOC, Calif. - Lompoc-based company DenMat normally helps dentists clean teeth. Now it's helping thousands clean their hands during the coronavirus pandemic.

The company usually provides tools and education for dentists. With Stay at Home orders around the country forcing dentist offices to close, the company is now repurposing its materials to make hand sanitizer.

“As it turns out, we have all the ingredients in-house to make hand-sanitizer,” CEO Dave Casper said. “Primarily the alcohol, which we use in our dental laboratory to clean 3D-printed models.”

The hand sanitizer is liquid and made of 80 percent ethyl alcohol. It has a mint scent and comes in different-sized bottles.

DenMat is also making a multi-surface cleanser with bleach.

Casper says about 90 percent of the company--roughly 300 employees--are currently furloughed, but about 40 employees were brought back to produce the hand sanitizer.

DenMat first began making the sanitizer for employees, then donated some to first responders in the Lompoc area.

The demand has taken off since, DenMat is now selling the products online, and through Santa Barbara-based Nomad.

“Just about everybody has a need for hand sanitizer, and we’re happy to be in a position to help,” Casper said.

California Highway Patrol and large, national dental distribution companies have already bought sanitizer from DenMat.

For now, sanitizer sales are keeping the company running and keeping some employees paid.

“We very much look forward to when practices can reopen, dentists can see patients and demand for all dental products returns, so we can all get back to work,” Casper said.