One of the biggest concerns moving forward in your practice is mitigating the risk of aerosols for your patients and staff. To reduce the aerosols produced during treatment, don’t overthink it. Get back to the basics to maintain a level of safety and sterilization.
The CDC advises dental practices that aerosol-generating procedures should be performed cautiously or avoided if appropriate alternatives exist .The agency also describes precautions that can be taken to minimize droplet spatter and aerosols when such procedures are necessary and when patients show no signs of coronavirus infection. These measures include the use of four-handed dentistry, dental dams, and high evacuation suction (also known as high-volume evacuation, or HVE).
Another way to reduce aerosols during treatment is with the use of dental dams and rubber dam clamps. In addition to providing protection to a patient’s oral cavity, a dental dam is used to isolate the site to enhance visibility. Studies have also shown that during many dental procedures, the use of a dental dam will eliminate virtually all contamination from saliva and blood.
The use of a high-volume evacuation (HVE) is recommended during procedures to reduce aerosols.2,3,4,5,6 HVE has been shown to reduce the contamination arising from the operative site by more than 90 %.7 The ADHA recommends that a HVE be available in each dental hygiene room.4 Palmero HVEsolo™ is uniquely designed for clinicians performing procedures without an assistant. Single-handedly evacuate fluids, debris, and contaminated aerosols from the treatment site. The short (2.5” length), three-vent design and lightweight shaft allows for solo practitioner use of HVE in the non-dominant hand. Max Vac Plus with Color™ Combo-Tip™ Evacuators and HVE Combo-Tip™ Evacuators offer two tips in one—vented on one end and non-vented on the other for added convenience. The unique "S" tip design eliminates sharp edges, enhancing patient safety and comfort, while the stiff, firm construction allows for cheek retraction.
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