DryShield
DryShield, owned by Solmetex, makes dental isolation systems integrating evacuator, saliva ejector, and bite block functions for moisture and aerosol control. It sells hardware and disposable mouthpieces to dental practices and DSOs through dealers, e-commerce, and direct sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersFountain Valley, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DryShield does
DryShield is a dental isolation system brand and product line operating under privately held Solmetex, LLC (Solmetex founded 1996, headquartered in Northborough, Massachusetts). The product combines the functions of a high-suction evacuator, saliva ejector, and bite block into a single chairside device used during dental procedures to control moisture and aerosols. The DryShield portfolio comprises the DryShield Isolation System, disposable DryShield Mouthpieces, DryShield Systems, and DryShield Starter Kits, marketed through the dedicated dryshield.com brand site and the parent Solmetex storefront. The core technology is mechanical dental hardware with disposable consumables; no software, AI, or digital components are mentioned in the source material.
Commercially, DryShield sits inside Solmetex's broader dental water management franchise, which also includes Solmetex amalgam separators and Sterisil dental waterline treatment products. Revenue mechanics combine one-time equipment sales (starter kits and isolation systems) with a recurring consumable stream from mouthpieces, augmented by an automated product subscription service operated through Solmetex's My Solutions Center platform. Distribution is multi-channel: an authorized dealer network (with portal access), international distribution partners, a direct e-commerce storefront on solmetex.com, and a Special Markets direct sales team that targets Dental Service Organization (DSO) accounts.
Customer segmentation favors individual dental practices as the primary buyer base, with DSOs addressed as a secondary enterprise segment. DryShield does not disclose standalone financials and is treated here as a product brand within Solmetex's portfolio rather than as an independently reported operating entity. The company has 11-50 employees, operates as an LLC in Massachusetts, and shows no evidence of outside institutional investment, public listing, or significant M&A activity beyond the original acquisition of the DryShield brand into the Solmetex family.
DryShield firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DryShield
- Legal name
- Solmetex, LLC
- Website
- https://dryshield.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DryShield, owned by Solmetex, makes dental isolation systems integrating evacuator, saliva ejector, and bite block functions for moisture and aerosol control. It sells hardware and disposable mouthpieces to dental practices and DSOs through dealers, e-commerce, and direct sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where DryShield is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fountain Valley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DryShield business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Sale of DryShield isolation systems, mouthpieces, and starter kits through e-commerce and dealer network.
- Subscription/Delivery Services: Automated product subscriptions through My Solutions Center for recurring product deliveries direct from preferred distributor.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
DryShield product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DryShield manufactures and sells dental isolation systems that combine the functions of a high-suction evacuator, saliva ejector, and bite block into a single device for moisture control and aerosol management during dental procedures. The product line includes the DryShield Isolation System, disposable mouthpieces, complete system packages, and starter kits sold primarily to dental practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs).
Product overview
DryShield is a product line under Solmetex offering dental isolation solutions. The portfolio consists of the DryShield Isolation System as the core product, complemented by DryShield Mouthpieces, DryShield Systems, and DryShield Starter Kits. These products work together with Solmetex's water management solutions (Solmetex amalgam separators, Sterisil waterline maintenance) to provide comprehensive water safety and isolation control for dental practices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Solmetex: Primary brand offering amalgam separators and collection solutions for dental practices.
- Sterisil
- DryShield
Products and services
- DryShield Isolation System A dental isolation system designed to improve visibility and control during dental procedures by isolating the treatment area from saliva and debris, combining high-suction evacuator, saliva ejector, and bite block functions in one device.
- DryShield Mouthpieces Disposable mouthpieces used with the DryShield Isolation System for dental procedures, providing retraction and isolation capabilities during treatment.
- DryShield Systems Complete isolation systems for dental practices, enabling better isolation and aerosol control during procedures by packaging the isolation hardware with necessary accessories.
- DryShield Starter Kits Kits designed for new users to get started with the DryShield isolation system, including essential components and accessories required for first-time adoption.
Quantifiable outcome
- EPA Dental Amalgam Rule compliance support
Companies that use DryShield
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DryShield technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DryShield partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Authorized DealerscoreNetwork of authorized dealers who resell DryShield, Solmetex, and Sterisil products to dental practices. Dealers have access to the Authorized Dealer Portal for partner management and support.
- International DistributorscoreInternational distribution partners serving dental practices outside the United States. The company maintains an international dealer location finder and dedicated international distribution support.
- Distributor PartnerscoreProducts shipped direct from preferred distributor as part of automated subscription services through My Solutions Center.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DryShield competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Dentsply Sirona: Dentsply Sirona is one of the largest dental equipment and consumables manufacturers globally, offering a full chairside ecosystem that competes with DryShield's integrated isolation and evacuation value proposition.
- Dentalez: Dentalez manufactures dental operatory equipment including delivery systems and evacuation products, competing in the same equipment category as DryShield.
- Air Techniques: Air Techniques manufactures dental equipment including vacuum systems, air compressors, and imaging — overlapping with DryShield's evacuation and chairside equipment footprint in dental practices.
- Hu-Friedy: Hu-Friedy (now part of HuFriedyGroup/Envista) is a broad dental instrument and equipment manufacturer supplying evacuation, retraction, and isolation consumables to dental practices worldwide.
- A-dec: A-dec is a leading manufacturer of dental chairs, delivery systems, and operatory equipment — a broad incumbent whose equipment bundles compete with DryShield's integrated isolation approach.
- Coltène: Coltène is a global dental products manufacturer with isolation, suction, and consumable offerings that serve the same dental practice customers as DryShield.
- Kerr Dental (Envista): Kerr Dental supplies restorative and consumable dental products, including isolation and evacuation accessories, serving the same dental practice buyers as DryShield.
Direct peers
- Crosstex International: Crosstex manufactures infection prevention and dental consumables, including evacuation and isolation products sold through the same dental distribution channels as DryShield.
- Zyris (Isolite Systems): Zyris manufactures the Isolite and Isodry dental isolation systems, the most direct competitor to DryShield in mouth-illuminated isolation and aerosol control for dental procedures.
- Young Innovations: Young Innovations is a dental consumables and small-equipment manufacturer selling through dental distribution, directly comparable to DryShield's go-to-market through authorized dental dealers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DryShield social profiles
Digital presenceDryShield financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DryShield leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
DryShield funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DryShield M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DryShield
What does DryShield do?
DryShield manufactures and sells dental isolation systems that combine the functions of a high-suction evacuator, saliva ejector, and bite block into a single device for moisture control and aerosol management during dental procedures. The product line includes the DryShield Isolation System, disposable mouthpieces, complete system packages, and starter kits sold primarily to dental practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs).
Is DryShield a public or private company?
DryShield is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was DryShield founded?
DryShield was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DryShield based?
DryShield is headquartered in Fountain Valley, United States, in the North America region.
How does DryShield make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription/Delivery Services.
Who are DryShield's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Dentsply Sirona, Dentalez, Air Techniques, Hu-Friedy, A-dec, Coltène and Kerr Dental (Envista). Direct peers are Crosstex International, Zyris (Isolite Systems) and Young Innovations.
Does DryShield have an API?
No public API is recorded for DryShield.