Dentistry presents a unique environment when it comes to the risk of transmission of respiratory infections.
We create aerosols in the course of many of our treatments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of us are, from time to time, asymptomatic carriers of various viruses that cause respiratory illness. This happens either just as we are becoming ill, or in those cases where we never really become sick, but rather, fight off the pathogen before it is able to harm us.

The smallest particles in these aerosols linger in the air for several hours. Thus, we take extra care, way beyond what you experience in most medical settings, to prevent the spread of respiratory illness to you, your loved ones, our staff–everyone!

Here are the advancements in Practice Protocols and Engineering Solutions we are taking in the new era of dental practice that the COVID-19 has led to:

1. Critically, we now have the Negative Pressure Airflow in all treatment rooms and our lab. Negative Pressure means that air is always flowing out of the treatment rooms, and is not re-circulated. Plenums in the ceiling draw air out of the office at a rate of 350-400 cubic feet per minute. This is considered highly effective in removing all airborne pathogens from the dental environment. And specifically, a  high turnover rate of air in closed spaces is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

2. Our internal HVAC now has UV anti-viral systems installed in the ductwork.

3. We have placed ozonated water in the dental unit self-contained supply bottles (since 2016). Ozone is extremely deadly to all bacteria and viruses; they have no defense against it and it kills them instantly and effectively.

4. We follow, as we always have, the general CDC guidelines for surface disinfection and infection control in dentistry.

5. Patients still must wear masks upon entering our office until they are settled in a treatment room. Dentistry entails a unique and dangerous respiratory and air quality environment, and we wish to protect the most compromised among us.

6. Patients are requested to wash their hands upon arrival.

7. Naturally, we wear Level III or N95 masks, and face shields and bouffants as appropriate.

8. We make extensive use of non-porous plastic barriers on equipment.

9. Our surface disinfection using 70% ethanol is proven to be the most effective type known.

10. We even purchased a steam cleaner for our floors; it’s actually quite fun to use and we periodically give those decks a good swabbing!