Other
Mitchell E. Westberg, DDS (he/him/his)
Pediatric Dentistry Resident
Riley Hospital for Children (Indianapolis, IN)
Indiana University School of Dentistry
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
James E. Jones, DMD
Faculty
Indiana University/Riley Hospital for Children
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Juan F. Yepes, DDS, MD, MPH, MS, DrPH
Indiana University, Riley Hospital for Children
Richard Gregory, PhD, MS
Indiana University School of Dentistry
Allison C. Scully, DDS, MS
Assistant Professor
Indiana University/Riley Hospital for Children
Indiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
LaQuia A. Vinson, DDS, MPH
Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program Director
Indiana University/Riley Hospital for Children
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Allison C. Scully, DDS, MS
Assistant Professor
Indiana University/Riley Hospital for Children
Indiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Background: Although rubber (dental) dams used with high-volume evacuation (HVE) suction are highly effective at reducing aerosols, some dentists are switching to new methods such as dental isolation systems (DIS). Current literature is lacking comparing bioaerosol spread in a pediatric dentistry setting and whether newly adopted dental isolation systems are effective at removing them.
Objective: The aim of this in-vitro study is to assess the effectiveness of three different isolation methods used during a typical operative procedure performed by dentists on their pediatric patients. Additionally, this study will assess the distribution of s. mutans by aerosolization from the same procedure performed in a closed-room operatory.
Design: Melamine typodont teeth coated in laboratory-grown biofilm were prepared for stainless-steel crowns using 3 different isolation methods. Open petri dishes were placed in 5 different locations throughout a closed-room operatory during each preparation and for the 10 minutes immediately following. Bacterial colonies were counted after incubating each plate for 48 hours. Data was analyzed for differences between both isolation method and petri dish locations.
Hypotheses: The highest quantity of s. mutans colonies after a single SSC preparation in a closed-room dental operatory is nearest the procedure site. A DIS with HVE eliminates the highest quantity of bioaerosols produced during single SSC preparations in a closed-room operatory when compared to HVE with or without a rubber dam.
Conclusion: This study will identify the effectiveness of 3 isolation methods at eliminating bioaerosols, as well as the distribution of oral bacteria produced by single SSC preparations.