PROBLEM STATEMENT: Research has highlighted the risk of infection to dental professionals due to aerosols and splatter-containing microorganisms.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Our objective is to duplicate hand-held and stationary suction devices and then analyze new research findings on the efficacy of four devices in containing splatter conducted at a new dental clinic.
METHOD: The suction devices included LVE, HVEsolo™, Aerosol Assist, and Releaf™. The procedure involves the application of Glo Germ™ to the cervical one-third of the mannequin's anterior teeth on facial and lingual surfaces using a syringe. A grid will be positioned three inches from the mouth at a 50-degree angle to the floor. Clinicians will perform ultrasonic instrumentation from the 12 o’clock position for two minutes per trial. Thirty trials will be conducted for each device. A UV blacklight will be used to visualize particles, and each cell containing particle(s) of Glo Germ™ will be calculated.
RESULT: Results from the ANOVA statistical tool indicated significant differences in contamination between the devices. The mean for all four suction devices were 7.83 for LVE, 40.60 for HVEsolo, 15.43 for the Releaf, and 10.27 for Aerosol Assist. Post hoc comparisons indicated that the LVE had significantly lower contamination levels than HVESolo (p <.001) and Releaf (p=.001).
CONCLUSION: After analyzing the findings of the two previous studies, the third study supported the results. Our findings indicated the LVE is the most effective, contradicting health organizations' recommendations for using the HVE to contain aerosol and splatter. The HVE systems disturbed the natural gravitational pull of aerosols and splatter, allowing them to travel into the environment. Meanwhile, the LVE causes particles to travel downwards, minimizing disturbances in aerosol disbursement. Therefore, it is recommended that dental practitioners prioritize the use of LVE over HVE systems for aerosol and splatter containment.
All abstract authors: Amy Teague, BSDH, RDH, MS, Jessica Avalos Ashley Delgado April Juarez Quynh Nguyen
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