Extraoral scavenger devices may increase in-treatment safety in dentistry by reducing aerosols

Aerosol is generated during most dental procedures and patient interactions. As the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately, has reminded us, aerosol is a potent carrier of pathogenic microorganisms. Contamination from spatter and aerosol dissemination has been recognised as a significant hazard for dental personnel for about 30 years. Similarly, extraoral suction units have been long recognised as an efficient means of reducing the aerosol burden of the dental operatory. Teanpaisan et al demonstrated that a modified household vacuum cleaner can be effectively used for reducing aerosol dissemination into the airspace of the dental operatory. King et al concluded that aerosol concentration was substantially reduced 6 inches away from a patient when using an aerosol reduction device. However, until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the topic had not generated much interest. Questions such as the particle size range in which such devices are effective or the comparative efficiency of the available models in specific dental interventions remained unanswered.

Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, aerosol control in the operatory has become a key safety issue in dentistry. The utilisation of extraoral scavenger devices (EOSs) is one of the various approaches to in-treatment aerosol reduction in dentistry. The use and efficacy of EOSs in dental settings, however, are still a matter of debate in the literature and there are still open questions about their proper use. Thus, research into this area is essential to inform dental practice. The objective of this study was to examine the aerosol reduction efficacy of two different EOS in vitro.