Researchers at Loma Linda (Calif.) University School of Dentistry have developed a method to reduce aerosols during dental cleanings, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
According to the study, researchers recruited 93 students to participate in the study, which aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dental evacuation systems in a single clinical setting.
Students participated as operators and patients at the university's dental clinic, which included blood agar plates placed throughout the clinic to collect aerosols before, during and after dental cleaning procedures.
Researchers found that using a high-volume evacuator combined with an intraoral suction device reduced a significant amount of microbial aerosols during a dental cleaning procedure, increasing the safety of patients and dental professionals.