Evaluation of Minimum Required Safe Distance between Two Consecutive Dental Chairs for Optimal Asepsis

Abstract

Cross infection and self-protection, these two words are like a lurid to the health care professionals. A balance has to be maintained among those two words if not, it's after affects are unpredictable. It is believed that even after following the code of practice, some elements such as the aerosols that are evolved during the use of high speed rotary instruments such as airotor and scaler are difficult to handle. Aerosols containing microbes from oral cavity of the patient are a risky source of infection. The best way to fight against these aerosols is to keep a distance from them. But it is not known how far these airborne microorganisms spread under various clinical environments. This article emphasizes the safe distance that has to be maintained around each dental chair to prevent cross contamination.

The efficacy of an extraoral scavenging device on reduction of splatter contamination during dental aerosol generating procedures: an exploratory study

“…19 On the basis of a previous study involving the use of UIP, a safe distance of six feet (1.83 m) surrounding the dental chair for personnel safety was recommended. 2 Within the open clinic setting, the maximum recorded distance of splatter contamination was 1.33 m from the operating site, with the majority of the contamination found in the immediate vicinity of the patient. This evidence may imply that open clinic settings most commonly found within dental hospitals may be 'safer' than previously assumed.…”

“…Clinical dentistry poses an exposure risk to dental professionals and patients, largely owing to the nature of dental procedures which often generate airborne particulates contaminated with bacteria, blood, viruses and fungi. 1,2 From 25 March 2020 to 8 June 2020, all dental practices in the UK were closed for routine care. 3,4 With the reopening of practices, concerned dental professionals have been seeking strategies to minimise the risk of spread and contamination from SARS-CoV-2.…”

The COVID-19 pandemic: implications for dental education

“…4 Bacterial studies suggest two meters around the chair is a safe zone. 5 The review correctly identifies that although technology provides many opportunities particularly in the field of distance learning, staff and perhaps students as well will need significant professional development to utilise it effectively. Similarly, the need to utilise the most appropriate educational methodologies is well made.…”

Evaluating aerosol and splatter following dental procedures: addressing new challenges for oral healthcare and rehabilitation

“…These studies are limited in that they only detect culturable bacteria as a marker of aerosol and splatter distribution. A smaller number of studies have used various fluorescent [39][40][41][42][43] and non-fluorescent tracers 44,45 to measure aerosol and splatter distribution, although some of these have significant methodological flaws and major limitations. Many studies are small and report only one repetition of a single procedure, and some have only examined contamination of the operator and assistant; a number of studies which have measured spatial distribution of aerosol and splatter have only done so to a limited distance from the source.…”