During your last checkup with the dentist in Kittanning, you probably remember a suction device being placed in your mouth at regular intervals. What exactly is that device being used for? And is it really important for cleaning your smile? Of course, the answer is that chairside dental suction has always been a key part of dental safety – and during the COVID-19 pandemic, that’s truer now than ever before! Keep reading to learn more about this often overlooked – yet invaluable – aspect of dental care.
What is Dental Chairside Suction?
The dental chairside suction process refers to the process of removing the aerosols produced during dental work from your mouth. It’s performed using a device called a high-volume evacuator (HVE) or a low-volume evacuator (LVE); the difference between the two is how much air is drawn in over a set period of time. Most dentists use a standard HVE device that removes air at a rate of about 100 cubic feet a minute.
Why is Dental Chairside Suction Used?
Even routine cleanings and air polishing treatments can result in an aerosol containing small bits of saliva, blood, dust, other fluids, and, most concerning of all, pathogens such as the COVID-19 virus. If this aerosol were allowed to become airborne, it could stay in the room for over an hour, and any splatter that accompanied it would land on surfaces within the treatment area. As a result, various diseases – such as COVID-19 or the common cold – would be allowed to spread.
However, with an HVE device, your dentist can get rid of these potentially harmful aerosols before they ever exit your mouth. About 90% to 98% of these particles are removed from the environment of the dental practice this way. Of course, there is no way to provide complete protection, but the risk can be kept to a minimum with the right precautions.
What Other Safety Protocols are In Place?
In addition to dental chairside suction, dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic are re-affirming their commitment to patient health by adopting stricter safety protocols. This includes:
- Daily health checks of the dental team as well as a pre-screening for every patient
- Social distancing enforced at the office
- A thorough wipe, sanitization, and disinfection of all instruments, equipment, and surfaces following each appointment
- The use of double-masking, face shields, and disposable protective coats
- HEPA air filtration to ensure that the air inside the practice is as clean as possible
If there’s anything you feel that you don’t know or are uncomfortable with regarding your practice’s use of dental chairside suction or other safety protocols, don’t hesitate to get in touch with them and ask. You shouldn’t be wondering, “Is it safe to visit the dentist near me?” when your smile is in need of urgent care!
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1980 and has been practicing dentistry in Kittanning ever since. As a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, he is interested in many different dental fields – including restoration, orthodontics, and TMJ treatment – but his commitment to patient safety remains unchanged under all circumstances. To schedule an appointment or ask about the steps that Voller Dentistry has taken in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, visit Dr. Voller’s website or call (724) 543-4948.