The purpose of this study is to collect, measure, and assess the environmental spatter produced during dental appointments under different isolation methods used in pediatric dentistry, to compare the effectiveness of aerosol reduction between these methods, to identify the most effective way to manage aerosol during dental prophylaxis for pediatric patients and to provide clinical evidence to facilitate practice guidelines in dentistry related to COVID-19.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
A thin suction tube that draws water, saliva, blood, and debris from the mouth to provide patient comfort, preventing patient from constantly having to sit up and spit while maintain a clear operative field. It is connected through the low-volume suction hose in the dental chair. It can be held by the dental assistant, the dental provider or by the patient. In practice, it can be also contoured and hang by the cheek of the patient due to its light weight.
The high-velocity air evacuation device. It is connected through the high-volume suction hose in the dental chair. It is operated by a dental assistant during the dental treatment, owing to the challenge posed by the rigid disposable attachment and bulky high-volume suction hose.
To collect, measure, and assess the environmental spatter produced during dental appointments under different isolation methods used in pediatric dentistry
The image of the spots of fluorescence from the spatter collected will be captured using a digital camera (Nikon D3100, Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) with an amber-colored lens cover. The image will be processed by a digital imaging software, ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, the Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin) to get the number of the spots on each mask and film. The number of fluorescent spots is recorded to determine the amount of spatter produced.
Time frame: Through case completion, an average a year
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The device is attached to the high-volume suction hose to provide continuous suction of intraoral fluid and debris, and also simultaneous isolation to both maxillary and mandibular quadrants on the same side. Other advantages of these devices include retracting the tongue and cheek, and prevention of aspiration.