Open AccessAEROSOL AND DENTISTRY IN COVID ERA
Author(s) -
A. K. Amritha Lekha,
Balaji S.K
Publication year - 2020
Language(s) - English
DOI - 10.37841/jidam_2020_v7_i3_03
Subject(s) - aerosol , aerosolization , covid-19 , dental procedure , contamination , pandemic , transmission (telecommunications) , environmental science , dentistry , medicine , dental care , meteorology , computer science , virology , inhalation , pathology , biology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , ecology , telecommunications , physics , outbreak , anatomy
Aerosol and splatter play a significant role in transmission of infection in a dental set up, which is of great concern for the dentist and the patient. Major source of aerosol in a dental set up is from ultrasonic scalers and rotary instrument which are of primary importance for performing regular dental procedures. Since the aerosolized particles behave in a ballistic manner and can stay suspended in air for a long period of time, the probability of surface contamination and transmission of infection through contact of these contaminated surfaces within dental clinic is extremely high. Presently our anxiety due to possible aerosol contamination has increased multiple folds due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Hence knowing the properties and composition of the aerosol, would give an insight into reducing the microbial load in the aerosol being generated during the regular dental procedures. KEYWORDS: COVID, Aerosol procedure, Airborne infection