Why upgrade your dental practice’s air quality solutions? Because dentistry is at the top of the list for professions with high exposure to numerous dangerous contaminants and pathogens…and they’ll still be around long after the pandemic eases.
With one highly effective COVID-19 vaccine released and more on the horizon, dentists may be thinking the time has passed to invest in ambient air quality. Yet, from patient aerosols to chemicals, there were plenty of threats worth protecting against before the pandemic, and those will still be serious dangers after it fades from our daily thoughts.
A layered approach will effectively address threats at the source, as well as ambient air quality. For most practices, that means applying a combination of aerosol capture devices and air purifiers. The pandemic has accelerated development of products to the point where there are now solutions available for facilities of all sizes and needs. Whether you want permanent installations, or portable ones that go where you go, there are plenty of options. (One important note for California residents: indoor air cleaning devices sold in California must be certified by the California Air Resources Board, or CARB. Ensure that any solution you choose is in compliance prior to purchase. If you’re unsure, check with your sales rep.)
One example of portable aerosol capture devices is the EOS suction system by ADS. It is designed and engineered to collect aerosols, droplets, dust and pathogens through a suction mouthpiece hood. ADS states that the HEPA filter captures particles down to 0.3 microns with 99.995% efficiency. Clean, dry air is exhausted from the base cabinet. UVC lights positioned on the HEPA filter and kill any remaining bacteria and viruses captured by the HEPA filter and are exhausted from the cabinet base.
Installed solutions from highly respected manufacturers like Nederman offer an aesthetically attractive package ideal for dental office settings. Their aerosol control solutions feature a flexible, ceiling-mounted extraction arm that is easy to maneuver and position, so once it’s installed the arm can be located near the patient to effectively capture the aerosol at the source and can be easily moved out of the way when no longer in use. In addition, Nederman’s aerosol control solutions are available for single or multi-chair operatory arrangements.
Addressing ambient air quality will have tangible benefits even after the pandemic lifts. Reducing harmful air pollution is a potential boon for whole body health. It’s even good for morale; a Harvard Business Review survey revealed that the number one environmental factor employees want most from their workspaces is better air quality. Therefore, no matter which solutions you choose, you can be confident they’ll continue delivering a strong return on your investment in the years ahead.