The dental workplace exposes dentists, staff and patients to a wide variety of air pollutants during routine dental work. The IQAir® Dental Series was specifically developed to provide a flexible, effective and affordable air cleaning solution for dental offices.
The execution of dental work and the use of various chemical compounds leads to exposure levels for dentists, staff and patients to a range of potentially harmful airborne contaminants. Especially for dental staff this exposure to potentially harmful air pollutants can be significantly higher than that of individuals in most indoor environments.
Microorganisms
The use of high-speed drills and ultrasonic scaling equipment generates fine droplets which are light enough to stay airborne for hours. Bacteria and viruses, which are contained in these micro-droplets, are easily inhaled and constitute a potential source of infection.
Mercury
Numerous studies show that dentists and their staff have higher than average levels of inorganic mercury (Hg) in their blood and urine. Mercury vapors can be released by the placement and the removal of amalgam fillings. They may also be released from office surfaces, where they may have accumulated over years of usage.
Disinfectants
Chemical disinfectants in a dental office are responsible for a generally unpleasant odor. Some disinfectants may also cause irritation and may have a sensitizing potential especially for staff.
Gaseous Chemicals
In order to effectively clean the air in a dental office, the air cleaning device must be able to capture both particles (microorganisms, droplets, dust) and gaseous chemicals (mercury vapors, gaseous organic compounds).
Drill Aerosols
To capture drill aerosols and other pollutants generated by dental work on patients, an air cleaning system with extraction at source should be used. For general air quality improvement an air cleaning system should be used at central locations within the dental procedure area.
High-Efficiency Particulate Filters
The air cleaning systems should contain high-efficiency particulate filters, as well as substantial gas phase filters for mercury vapors, disinfectants and volatile organic compounds.
IQAir Has the Total Solution
The IQAir® Dental Series was specifically developed to improve indoor air quality in dental offices.
The IQAir® Dental Pro is a stand-alone air cleaning system which cleans the air in a dental office by constantly drawing in polluted room air and exhausting filtered air to the room.
The IQAir® Dental Hg FlexVac is a stand-alone air cleaning system with a flexible source capture suction duct. The suction duct is used close to the patient to capture drill aerosols and other pollutants before they can spread in the dental office.
LINKS
The American Dental Association's - Infection Control Recommendations for the Dental Office and the Dental Laboratory