Thursday, February 2, 2023
dental- News
  • Home
  • Dentistry
  • Endodontist
  • Implantology
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontology
  • Predental
  • Prosthodontics
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Dentistry
  • Endodontist
  • Implantology
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontology
  • Predental
  • Prosthodontics
HealthNews
No Result
View All Result

Switching drills could help dentists increase the number of patients they see during the pandemic

Dental News by Dental News
August 4, 2021
in Dentistry
0
Switching drills could help dentists increase the number of patients they see during the pandemic
0
SHARES
3
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Dentists could significantly increase the number of patients they see during the pandemic by switching the drills they use, according to new research.

The study investigated whether different drill types increased or reduced the spread of aerosol spray in a dental surgery. Reducing aerosol spray results in a safer environment for patients and the dental team.

The findings show that the time taken to prepare safe surgeries between appointments could be radically reduced by changing drills, potentially resulting in millions more treatments being carried out.

The study, led by the University of Leeds, compared the aerosol patterns produced by dental drills rotated by air streams – that are most commonly used by UK dentists-to those produced by electric powered drills.

Instead of simply mapping the spread of water spray during treatment, the research team instead introduced a virus that is similar in size and structure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Their results show that by replacing the high-speed air drills with lower speed electric drills, aerosol spray was virtually eliminated, creating a safer environment for both patients and the dental team.

The research, funded by the British Endodontic Society, is published in the Journal of Dental Research.

The issue for dentists during the corona virus pandemic is that their routine work involves creating an aerosol spray in a confined space with an associated risk of airborne spread of COVID-19.”


Brian Nattress, Study Lead Clinical Author and Professor, School of Dentistry, University of Leeds

“This is the first time the spread of a harmless COVID-19-like virus has been analyzed during routine drilling procedures.

“If the spread of that aerosol spray can be reduced or eradicated, that has enormous, positive implications for how dentists can go about their daily business not just during the corona virus pandemic, but also during future virus outbreaks.”

During the first national lockdown in England between March and June 2020, all dental surgeries were closed.

Since reopening, because patients may be asymptomatic carriers of the SARS-CoV-2 virus when attending a dentist appointment, strict regulations have been introduced to ensure work areas are safe and prepared appropriately between appointments. Additional protective measures have been required for the dental team delivering patient care. This has led to much longer gaps between treating patients.

Before the pandemic, about 18 million adults and children attended an NHS dental appointment each year in England.

Reports by charity Health Watch point to a growing backlog of patients waiting to see a dentist, with fears this could rise as the SARS-CoV-2 virus is expected to remain prevalent in the general population for many months more.

Adjustments to the pandemic measures require high quality evidence to show how dentists can reduce the risk of spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus when carrying out aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) during dental treatments.

During the new research tests, use of the electric drill rather than an air drill led to a 99.98% reduction in aerosol spread of the virus into the air.

When a dental suction tool was added, there was no detectable virus on surfaces or in air samples taken six to 10 minutes afterwards.

The new research was carried out by the School of Dentistry, School of Civil Engineering and the Leeds Dental Institute.

The research team set up simulated dental treatments in a real surgery scenario and – for the first time ever – used a harmless virus to track the spread of aerosols in the air and on surfaces.

A dummy head and simulated saliva were used to measure the difference between the level of aerosols generated using a conventional air-driven dentist’s drill and a more modern electric hand piece.

Professor David Wood, Director of Research and Innovation in the School of Dentistry, is co-author of the report.

He said: “This robust scientific evidence addresses how the risks associated with the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus via dental drills can be successfully managed.

“The recommendation we make in the report will help more people access the dental care they need, but haven’t been able to get since early 2020.”

In light of the many restraints placed on dentists globally since the beginning of the pandemic, the research team is calling for further and essential studies to find different strategies to control the spread of dental aerosols and help to reduce the backlog of patients.

Source:

Journal reference:

Vernon, J. J., et al. (2021) Dental Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2. Journal of Dental Research. doi.org/10.1177/00220345211032885.



Source link

Advertisement Banner
Previous Post

Clonidine addition to lidocaine reduces postoperative pain after root canal treatment

Next Post

This Is How Often You Should Change Your Toothbrush, and Why

Dental News

Dental News

Next Post
This Is How Often You Should Change Your Toothbrush, and Why

This Is How Often You Should Change Your Toothbrush, and Why

Discussion about this post

Recommended

Dental Imaging Market To Lift Up Industry Growth During The Forecast Period From 2021 – 2031, Key Players-LED Medical Diagnostics Inc., FLOW Dental Corporation, Carestream Health

Orthodontics Market 2021: Key Stakeholders, Subcomponent Manufacturers, Trends Analysis by 2031

2 years ago
Global Endodontic Instruments Market 2021: Industry Future Set to Massive Growth with High CAGR value

Global Endodontic Handpieces Market 2021 Future Set to Massive Growth with High CAGR value

2 years ago

Dental World

Don't Miss

The “oral” history of COVID‐19: Primary infection, salivary transmission, and post‐acute implications – Marchesan – 2021 – Journal of Periodontology

The “oral” history of COVID‐19: Primary infection, salivary transmission, and post‐acute implications – Marchesan – 2021 – Journal of Periodontology

October 11, 2021
Nampa teacher to vie for Miss USA crown – Idaho Press-Tribune

Nampa teacher to vie for Miss USA crown – Idaho Press-Tribune

October 11, 2021
Bio-mechanism Inhibitory Prediction of β-Sitosterol

Perceptions of Dental Undergraduates Towards Online Education During C

October 11, 2021
Clearwater Periodontist says recent studies highlight the safety of dental offices during the COVID-19 pandemic | News

Smile Obsession Grows in Illinois with the Acquisition and Merger of Maplebrook Dental | News

October 11, 2021

Recent News

The “oral” history of COVID‐19: Primary infection, salivary transmission, and post‐acute implications – Marchesan – 2021 – Journal of Periodontology

The “oral” history of COVID‐19: Primary infection, salivary transmission, and post‐acute implications – Marchesan – 2021 – Journal of Periodontology

October 11, 2021
Nampa teacher to vie for Miss USA crown – Idaho Press-Tribune

Nampa teacher to vie for Miss USA crown – Idaho Press-Tribune

October 11, 2021

Categories

  • Dentistry
  • Endodontist
  • Europe
  • Implantology
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontology
  • Predental
  • Prosthodontics

Follow us

  • Privacy & Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

© 2021 Copyright dental-news

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Dentistry
  • Endodontist
  • Implantology
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontology
  • Predental
  • Prosthodontics

© 2021 Copyright dental-news