Shepherd's Hook Dental Explorer Probe (No. 23) in German Stainless Steel
This is a No. 23 explorer probe, a standard diagnostic instrument in dentistry. It is machined from a single piece of German stainless steel, offering excellent durability and resistance to corrosion. The instrument is polished to a smooth finish to facilitate effective cleaning and sterilisation.
The defining feature is the 'Shepherd's Hook' tip, a fine, sharp point bent at an acute angle, designed for assessing tooth surfaces with high tactile feedback. The balanced, octagonal handle is knurled to ensure precise control and prevent slippage, even when wearing gloves.
Primarily used by dental professionals for caries and calculus detection. Also suitable for fine-scale work in electronics repair, model making, and delicate assembly tasks where a fine, hard point is needed for probing or scribing.
Quality & compliance
Manufactured by an ISO 13485:2016-certified medical device producer (Cert. PK250801003, LMS Assessments Limited — IAF/EGAC accredited). EU MDR Authorised Representative in place for 2025-2026. All steel and surface treatments meet the REACH directive (EC 1907/2006). View our supplier certificates.
- Manufactured from corrosion-resistant German stainless steel.
- Features a No. 23 'Shepherd's Hook' tip for tactile examination.
- Octagonal, knurled handle provides a secure, non-slip grip.
- Fully autoclavable for clinical sterilisation and repeated use.
- Conforms to CE, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and FDA standards.
Is this the right tool for you?
Best for
- UK dental practices for routine patient examinations
- Dental technicians cleaning or inspecting crowns and bridges
- Electronics technicians probing solder joints on circuit boards
- Scale modellers scribing panel lines or positioning tiny parts
Not for
- Heavy-duty prying or levering — the tip is fine and will break
- Use on live electrical circuits
- Cutting or scraping hard materials; it is a probe, not a blade
How this compares
| Shepherd's Hook Dental Explorer... | Alternatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Grade | German Stainless Steel | Unspecified stainless steel |
| Sterilisation | Fully autoclavable for clinical use | Surface wipe-down only |
| Certification | CE, ISO & FDA compliant | No compliance data |
| Country of stock | UK warehouse | Overseas dispatch |