Other
Matthew S. Hoskins, DMD
Pediatric Dental Resident
The University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH
The University of Toledo
SYLVANIA, Ohio, United States
Michael P. Nedley, DDS, DDS
University of Toledo
Omid Amili, Ph.D.
University of Toledo
Homa momenieskandari, M.S.
University of Toledo
Michael P. Nedley, DDS, DDS
University of Toledo
Purpose: With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, aerosol producing dental care has again been pushed to the forefront of concern as a possible source of transfer of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the aerosol production and topographical movement in real-time within a dental clinic while standard dental procedures were completed.
Methods: Five IQAir Indoor AirVisual Pro air quality devices were placed at specific locations within the dental service at the University of Toledo (sensor 1-patient check-in; sensor 2-operatory 5 restorative; sensor 3-operatory 14 variable; sensor 4-operatory 3 hygiene; sensor 5-patient check-out). Each operatory was a closed room operatory (not airtight nor negative pressure) with doors shut during treatment. The air quality was continuously measured for concentration of particle matter every 10 seconds for a total of 45 days and recorded.
Results: An analysis of variance test concluded that daily peak PM10 (particle matter less than 10µm) values between at least two sensors had a statistically significant difference (F=3.200, P=.015). Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference shows statistical significance between sensor 1(check-in) and sensor 3(operatory14) (P=.038). Fisher’s Least Significant Difference shows statistically significance between sensor 1(check-in) and 2(operatory5) (P=.012), sensor 1(check-in) and 3(operatory14) (P=.005), sensor 2(operatory5) and 4(operatory3) (P=.033) and sensor 3(operatory14) and 4(operatory3) (P=.014).
Conclusions: Results demonstrate a difference in the concentration of PM10 between several sensors with increased aerosol concentration in dental operatories versus patient check-in and check-out area. Therefore, aerosol topographical movement of PM10 within a dental clinic is not equivalent throughout the facilities.