Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: A pilot study
Summary: Context: Routine dental procedures produce aerosol and splatter, which pose a potential risk to the clinician and dental personnel, as well as the immunocompromised patient. Reports indicate that the ultrasonic scaler is the greatest producer of aerosol and splatter. Aims: The study aimed...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2015-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034114001853 |
| _version_ | 1819072533400387584 |
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| author | H.R. Veena S. Mahantesha Preethi A. Joseph Sudhir R. Patil Suvarna H. Patil |
| author_facet | H.R. Veena S. Mahantesha Preethi A. Joseph Sudhir R. Patil Suvarna H. Patil |
| author_sort | H.R. Veena |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: Context: Routine dental procedures produce aerosol and splatter, which pose a potential risk to the clinician and dental personnel, as well as the immunocompromised patient. Reports indicate that the ultrasonic scaler is the greatest producer of aerosol and splatter. Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the contamination distance, contamination amount and contamination duration of aerosol produced during ultrasonic scaling. Methods and materials: The study was performed on a mannequin fitted with phantom jaws on a dental chair. Mock scaling was done for 15 min using an auto-tuned magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaler with the simultaneous use of a low volume saliva ejector. An ultrafiltrate-containing fluorescent dye was used in the reservoir supplying the scaler unit. Filter paper discs were placed in different positions and distances in the operatory. Immediately following scaling, the filter paper discs were replaced with new ones. This was done every 30 min for a total duration of 90 min. Results: Maximum contamination was found on the right arm of the operator and left arm of the assistant. Contamination was also found on the head, chest and inner surface of the face mask of the operator and of the assistant. The aerosol was found to remain in the air up to 30 min after scaling. Conclusions: The occupational health hazards of dental aerosols can be minimized by following simple, inexpensive precautions. Keywords: Aerosol, Splatter, Infection control, Aerosol contamination in dentistry, Dental unit water lines, Ultrasonic scaling |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T17:39:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3025886034bd4a32b545e01f478986a0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1876-0341 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T17:39:14Z |
| publishDate | 2015-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-3025886034bd4a32b545e01f478986a02022-12-21T18:55:40ZengElsevierJournal of Infection and Public Health1876-03412015-05-0183260265Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: A pilot studyH.R. Veena0S. Mahantesha1Preethi A. Joseph2Sudhir R. Patil3Suvarna H. Patil4Department of Periodontics, KLE Society's Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India; Corresponding author at: Department of Periodontics, KLE Society's Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, No. 20, Yeshwanthpur Suburb, Tumkur Road, Bangalore 560 022, India. Tel.: +91 9480516011; fax: +91 8023474305.Department of Periodontics, MS Ramaiah Dental College, Bangalore, IndiaDepartment of Periodontics, KLE Society's Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, IndiaDepartment of Periodontics, KLE Society's Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, IndiaDepartment of Periodontics, Maratha Mandal Dental College, Belgaum, IndiaSummary: Context: Routine dental procedures produce aerosol and splatter, which pose a potential risk to the clinician and dental personnel, as well as the immunocompromised patient. Reports indicate that the ultrasonic scaler is the greatest producer of aerosol and splatter. Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the contamination distance, contamination amount and contamination duration of aerosol produced during ultrasonic scaling. Methods and materials: The study was performed on a mannequin fitted with phantom jaws on a dental chair. Mock scaling was done for 15 min using an auto-tuned magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaler with the simultaneous use of a low volume saliva ejector. An ultrafiltrate-containing fluorescent dye was used in the reservoir supplying the scaler unit. Filter paper discs were placed in different positions and distances in the operatory. Immediately following scaling, the filter paper discs were replaced with new ones. This was done every 30 min for a total duration of 90 min. Results: Maximum contamination was found on the right arm of the operator and left arm of the assistant. Contamination was also found on the head, chest and inner surface of the face mask of the operator and of the assistant. The aerosol was found to remain in the air up to 30 min after scaling. Conclusions: The occupational health hazards of dental aerosols can be minimized by following simple, inexpensive precautions. Keywords: Aerosol, Splatter, Infection control, Aerosol contamination in dentistry, Dental unit water lines, Ultrasonic scalinghttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034114001853 |
| spellingShingle | H.R. Veena S. Mahantesha Preethi A. Joseph Sudhir R. Patil Suvarna H. Patil Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: A pilot study Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| title | Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: A pilot study |
| title_full | Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: A pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: A pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: A pilot study |
| title_short | Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: A pilot study |
| title_sort | dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling a pilot study |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034114001853 |
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