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Aerosol Contamination - A Hazard to Dentists

Sruthy Prathap, Prathap S, M S P. Aerosol Contamination – A Hazard to Dentists. Dent Poster J 2012;1(4):6., Scholarly Journal

Senior Lecturer, Department of Periodontics, Yenepoya Dental College.

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Abstract

Aerosols and droplets are produced during many dental procedures. With the advent of the droplet-spread disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, a review of the infection control procedures for aerosols is warranted. Aerosols containing microbes from the oral cavity of the patient are created intensively when using modern high-speed rotating instruments and ultrasonic scalers in dentistry. Aerosols and splatters usually contain microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. How far these aerosols spread and what level of contamination they cause in dental surgery has become a growing concern among practitioners. Insufficient awareness of health risks, working habits, and economic factors are the reasons why dentists do not apply the available and recommended methods of protection against the influence of bioaerosol and splatter. This poster reviews the hazards of bioaerosol and splatter in dentistry and the full range of protective barrier measures required during dental treatment.

Keywords: Aerosols, barrier, waterlines, pathogens, splatter, hazard.

Introduction

Dental practitioners are exposed to various infective hazards during various treatment procedures because many infections can be transmitted by blood and saliva through direct or indirect contact, droplets, aerosols, contaminated instruments, and equipment. Dental aerosols (Micik and colleagues 1969) were defined as particles smaller than 50µm in diameter. The particle sizes are small enough to stay airborne for an extended period of time before they settle on environmental surfaces. Splatter was defined as particles larger than 50µm in diameter.

Sources of Aerosols

  1. Ultrasonic scalers

  2. Air powder polishing

  3. Preparation of intracoronal cavities

  4. Crown praparations

  5. Trimming new restorations

  6. Removal of old restorations

  7. Endodontic therapy

  8. Amalgam restorations (Mercury vapors)

  9. Removal of composite following orthodontic treatment

  10. Acid etching followed by rinsing and drying.

Pathogens in Aerosols

The main pathogenic microorganisms are:

  1. Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

  2. Hepatitis B Virus(HBV)

  3. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

  4. Cytomegalo Virus

  5. Herpes Simplex Virus

  6. Human Immuno Deficiency Virus

  7. SARS Virus

  8. H1N1 Virus

Allergens Fond in Aerosols

  1. Latex allergens

  2. Formaldehyde vapors

  3. Ethylene oxide

  4. Hexachlorophene

  5. Local anesthetic spray

  6. Mercury vapors

Preventive Measures

Personal Protection barriers like gloves, mouth masks, head caps, and protective eyewear can be used to prevent infections induced by aerosols among the practitioners.

Aerosol production can be reduced with the use of rubber dam isolation during operative procedures, use of extraoral vacuum aspirators, use of preprocedural antimicrobial mouthwashes, high volume evacuators, high vacuum suctions, saliva ejectors, laminar air purge, high energy particulate air filters, and aerosol management systems.

Dental unit water lines should be treated using an aerosol management system, control of storage temperatures and automatic treatment devices, use of sterile water, entire traction valves, and antibacterial filters.

Conclusion

Dental aerosols represent an infection hazard for dental hygienists due to their gross contamination with blood and saliva. The advent of SARS and the H1N1 virus and its predicted reemergence in the upcoming flu have brought the danger of aerosols to a higher level. Aerosols can be prevented using various protective measures in the dental office.

Platinum Air Care’s Solution

The MedicAir® 2.0 is capable of reducing airborne transmission by utilizing powerful air changes per hour in any given setting. ReAKT mode is able to automatically change fan speed based on detected air pollution, aerosols, droplets, etc. It is used in thousands of dental applications globally. Learn more about the MedicAir® 2.0 by clicking here.