STRUTHERS, Ohio - One Struther's Dentist is calling new ultra-violet technology a breakthrough.

"UV light kills bacteria, viruses, coronavirus, spores... mold," Doctor Mark DeGenova said, "Whatever the light shine on, it will kill."

DeGenova confirmed his dental office is the first in Ohio to purchase a new kind of UV light that kills viruses in less than a second and wants to spread the word.

"I think this is the best technology in the world and it has to be looked at," DeGenova said. 

He said he started researching new UV technology and stumbled across a company in New Hampshire that created a new disinfecting light called the Far-UV Sterilray.

"The difference with the new technology is you can work underneath that light," he said, "It's the only light like it in the world and it won't cause any damage in your eyes."

This means this light can be used while the room is occupied, unlike previous disinfecting UV lights that could only be turned on at night because they could burn the eyes and skin.

The Far-UV Sterilray kills bacteria and viruses almost instantly. He said it produces up to a thousand times more destruction than any other UV source. 

"When I do my procedures during the day, I have the light on and it has an instant kill rate in less than a second, so if there's aerosols created by the handpiece or any instrument I'm using, it's killed instantly."

He believes this technology should be used more broadly such as in restaurants, airplanes and schools rather than only in medical offices.

This light is thousands of dollars, but he hopes one day it becomes mass-produced and more accessible.