Blocking spray air Covid-19 measure
In the last blog we looked at a reported disconnect between the science community and the global public health community regarding aerosol transmission that is distinct from droplet transmission. I also asked the question, how aerosol transmission may impact practice within a building that undertakes dentistry and oral surgery?
Sirona have come up with a solution. Don’t create an aerosol! They have decided that aerosol is a possible transmission route. The German Assembly of Federal Dentists recommends to reduce spray mist in order to limit the creation of aerosols. Sirona have devised a solution using pins that blocks/reduces the spray air leads and in doing so dramatically reduces the aerosol, eliminating any visual air aerosol. They also claim that the tooth is not over heated or damaged without cooling air.
So the first solution given we accept that droplet infection is a transmission route and aerosol transmission is also a route, as SARS was, is to modify our dental handpieces. I have ordered some of these after a video conference with my Sirona colleague in Austria last week. I will let you know my findings. Please click on Blocking spray -Covid 19 measure 2020-04-02 by Dentsply Sirona for more information.