Efficacy of aerosol reduction measures for dental aerosol generating procedures

Figures & data

Figure 1. (a) High-speed handpiece [HS]. (b) Piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler [PUS]. (c) High-speed handpiece with plastic high-volume evacuator [HS + HVE(P)]. (d) High-speed handpiece with metal high-volume evacuator [HS + HVE(M)]. (e) Four sampling positions: (1) Dentist, (2) Assistant, (3) 1 m, (4) 2 m. Notice air purifier placement to the right of patient’s feet. (f) Air purifier [AP]. (g) Particle counter.

Figure 2. Median dynamic aerosol concentrations measured at the dentist’s position: (a) high-speed handpiece [HS], (b) piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler [PUS], (c) control [CTL], (d, e) high-speed handpiece with high-volume evacuator (plastic/metal) [HS + HVE(P/M)], (f) high-speed handpiece with air purifier [HS + AP], (g) high-speed handpiece with plastic high-volume evacuator and air purifier [HS + HVE(P)+AP], (h) air purifier only [AP]. Color band represents the interquartile range. Median (IQR) increase ratio ($\widetilde{R_I}$) and reduction rate ($\widetilde{R_R}$).

Figure 3. (a) Change in aerosol concentration after 15 min. (b) Particle size distribution as measured at the dentist’s position at 15 min. More than 94.9% of particles were below 1.0 µm.

Figure 4. Particle size distribution measured at the dentist’s position before and after interventions (n = 6).