DENTAL AEROSOL & SPLATTER- A SILENT HAZARD & IMPLICATION ON INFECTION CONTROL IN DENTISTRY

Gagan Raj*, Suma B. S. and Garima Mangal

ABSTRACT

Dentist, dental hygienist and oral health care workers practices in a highly contaminated environment which is the human mouth where they are exposed to variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoan from many sources. Various dental procedures can result in the formation of aerosol and splatter. Aerosols are combination of both liquid and solid particles less than 50 micrometres in diameter whereas splatter was defined as airborne particle which are larger than 50 micron in diameters. There is a long history of infections that have been transmitted by an airborne route. Sources of dental aerosol produced during dental procedures are from the: Patient, Dental unit waterlines (DUWL) and Instruments. Professional interest has developed concerning dentally produced aerosols and the potential for disease transmission to clinicians and patients. Professional interest has developed concerning dentally produced aerosols and the potential for disease transmission to clinicians and patients. It includes screening of patients, Immunization of dental personnel, Personal hygiene and hand hygiene, Personal protective equipments, Dental unit waterlines (DUWL), Sterilization and disinfection. Thus It is virtually impossible to completely eliminate the risk posed by dental aerosols, minimizing the risk by adopting protective procedures along with universal barrier techniques together with immunization protocol requires attention.

Keywords: Dental Aerosol and splatter; Dental unit water line; Personal protective equipment; Infection control.