Local exhaust ventilation may help control dental aerosols and droplets
Alexandria, VA, USA - Dental procedures produce aerosols which contain oral microbes, creating potential for infectious disease transmission. This study, "Local Exhaust Ventilation to Control Dental Aerosols and Droplets" published in the Journal of Dental Research (JDR), investigated the effect of a Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) device on aerosols and droplets produced during dental procedures. These devices are designed to be placed over the patient's mouth to capture aerosols and droplets at the source.
Researchers at Newcastle University, England, conducted experiments on dental mannequins. Ten-minute crown preparations were performed with an air-turbine handpiece in a large open plan clinic, and full mouth ultrasonic scaling was performed for ten minutes in a single dental surgery. Fluorescein was added to instrument irrigation reservoirs as a tracer. In both settings, Optical Particle Counters (OPCs) were used to measure aerosol particles between 0.3 – 10.0 μm and liquid cyclone air samplers were used to capture aerosolised fluorescein tracer. An LEV device with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration and a flow rate of 5,000 L/min was tested during the experiments.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00220345211056287
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.