Blocking spray air Covid-19 measure

by | Apr 14, 2020 | News/Blog

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. 

Latest Articles

Airborne transmission of SARS-COv-2: The Dental/Oral Surgery Context

This paper by Morawska and Coa alleges a difference in the current opinions between some in the science community and global public health bodies when it comes to airborne transmission indoors. This is relevant to dental surgery and oral surgery practices as AGPs (Aerosol Generating Procedures) are undertaken within buildings with significant movement of people and doors opening and closing creating air currents that have potential to spread virus beyond the surgery and potentially transmit infection.

Air Purification in an Oral Surgery setting

We have discussed in our previous blogs that controlling patient flow within the oral surgery setting, PPE, hydrogen peroxide mouthwash pre-op and alcohol gel hand washing on entering the building, AGP avoidance and limiting practice to emergency treatment only makes up part of the risk management strategy. The mechanism of air transmission (aerosol transmission) within the surgery gains traction in the profession as virus can be moved in the surgery and beyond to waiting rooms over considerable distance and remain viable for possibly several hours within buildings. We must look at air purification to mitigate against the risk of airborne transmission within the dental surgery / oral surgery buildings.

Air Disinfection in a Dental Setting-Government grants to get dentists back to work?

Todays blog gives two links regarding air disinfection in the dental surgery to the Novaerus website with an additional link on protecting healthcare workers with air purification. I have also discussed an article on airborne transmission in the operating theatre from the bulletin and linked that into dental surgery and air purification allowing us to get back to work.

Quad Zygoma Blackrock Clinic 2017

This was the first Quad Zygoma case done in Ireland that I did at the Blackrock Clinic in 2017 using the new Nobel 45 Zygomatic implant.

The Failing Dentition

Options to restore the Failing dentition. ‘All-on-4’ or restoration of terminal dentition with dental implants.