Evaluation of the efficiency of source control for the capture of aerosols generated by dental care

Among medical practices, dentistry is particularly exposed to any aerosol transmissible diseases due to the close proximity of dentists and health staff to the patient’s mouth. Dental procedures involve operations that generate saliva, dental plaque and blood aerosols, which are vectors for infectious agents. These vectors may directly reach the health staff, be suspended in the room or deposit on surfaces, which could lead to contamination of both the personnel and following patients. Collective protection measures exist to reduce the risk of exposure, like the capture at the source using suction systems and air change rate in the treatment room using general ventilation. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the source aerosol mitigation measures for one of the most common dental operations, drilling. Aerosols were generated, by means of a manikin head mounted on a dental unit, using a speed-increasing contra-angle handpiece in two-handed dentistry setup. A saliva ejector (SE) and a high-volume evacuator (HVE) were used as aerosol mitigation measures. Aerosol concentrations were measured using a light-scattering aerosol spectrometer system. Results are analysed in terms of aerosol mitigation using SE or HVE for all dental operations. These results will help improve biological safety in dental offices.