COVID-19 and the dentist: Study examines removing aerosols

Jeremy Booth, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 8. June 2021

save

LOMA LINDA, Calif., U.S.: Airborne respiratory droplets are one of the main modes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and the common use of aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) in dental clinics has necessitated the study of preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the associated risk. To this end, researchers from Loma Linda University compared the effectiveness of dental evacuation systems and found that a combination of devices resulted in the greatest reduction in microbial aerosols.

In the controlled clinical trial, the researchers collected aerosol samples on blood agar plates placed throughout the dental clinic during four treatment periods—baseline, high-volume evacuation (HVE), a combination of HVE and intraoral suction device, and post-treatment. Student participants used an ultrasonic scaler to perform oral prophylaxis on one side of the mouth during the treatment periods, and the plates were collected and incubated at 37°C for a period of 48 hours. A total of 93 students participated in the study, and it was conducted in a large clinic that consisted of multiple operatories.

A combination of devices was found to result in the greatest reduction in collected aerosols, including in comparison with the use of an intraoral suction device alone. This finding led the researchers to conclude that microbial aerosols were significantly reduced when a combination of HVE and intraoral suction devices was used.

“When comparing the treatment periods with the baseline, we found highly significant differences for HVE and combination treatment periods,” the authors wrote. They concluded, however, that further research was needed to validate the results of the study, such as additional research into the data collected so that the dynamics of aerosols produced during dental procedures could be better understood.

“To date, there is no direct evidence that dental procedures are a major cause of airborne infections. However, given the pandemic situation, the possibility of potential risks cannot be ignored,” the researchers explained, adding that it was important to identify effective measures to control the aerosols produced during dental procedures.

The study, titled “A clinical investigation of dental evacuation systems in reducing aerosols,” was published in the June 2021 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Tags:

To post a reply please login or register

SARS-CoV-2 as invisible threat: Mitigating aerosols in dental clinics

CHICAGO, U.S.: In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, dentists have been provided with strict infection prevention and control guidelines. These include ...

Reducing aerosol viral load to minimise spread of SARS-CoV-2 in dental clinics

MUMBAI, India: Dentists and their patients are increasingly concerned about the elevated risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in dental clinics, owing to the ...

New face shield could reduce dental clinical waste, provide better protection

BRISTOL, UK: As Dental Tribune International has previously reported, thoughtful waste management is an increasingly important issue in dentistry in view of...

It is time to reopen dental clinics, ESCD urges

VIENNA, Austria: It is a matter of urgency that dental practices resume providing the full spectrum of oral care, according to the president of the European...

Clinics struggling to find dental hygienists, assistants

CHICAGO, U.S.: As they recover from the initial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many U.S. dental offices are being prevented from seeing more patients by ...

Expert reports on COVID-19 situation in dental clinic in Wuhan

WUHAN, China: As dean of the School and Hospital of Stomatology of Wuhan University, Prof. Zhuan Bian has had first-hand experience of the working situation...

Study recommends aspirating system with HEPA filter for dental practices

YEKATERINBURG, Russia: Aside from personal protective equipment (PPE), high-volume aspirators are recommended in dental clinics during the SARS-CoV-2 ...

COVID-19: Patients reluctant to seek dental treatments, clinics face voluntary closure

With the escalation of the COVID-19 crisis and new cases rising on a daily basis, it is the dental industry which is suffering the most within the ...

Organizations plead for SARS-CoV-2 testing kits in US dental clinics

WASHINGTON, U.S.: A consortium of U.S. dental organizations has asked for federal authorization for licensed dentists to conduct SARS-CoV-2 testing in their...