Effectiveness of Disposable Face Masks in Preventing Cross Contamination during Dental Procedures

Abstract

Aerosols generated by the air turbine handpiece contain oral microorganisms that are a potential health hazard to the dentist. The effectiveness of different face masks in preventing cross contamination varied greatly but in all instances was significant.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Madden, R.M. , and Hausler, W.J. , JR.: Microbiological Comparison of Dental Handpieces I. Preliminary Report, J Dent Res 42:1146-1151,1963.

Stevens, R.E. , JR.: Preliminary Study: Air Contamination with Microorganisms During Use of Air Turbine Handpiece, J Amer Dent Assoc 66:237-239, 1963.

Belting, C.M. ; Haberfelde, G.C. ; and Juhl, L.K. : Spread of Organisms from Dental Air Rotor , J Amer Dent Assoc 68 :648-651, 1964.

Bailey, R.R. ; Pokowitz, W. ; Blechman , H. ; and Nunez, C. : Streptomycin Resistant Lactobacilli as Indicators of Oral Aerosols, J Oral Ther 4:298-303, 1968.

Brown, R.V. : Bacterial Aerosols Generated by Ultra High-Speed Cutting Instruments , J Dent Child 32:112-117, 1965.

Kazantzis, M.G. : Air Contamination from High Speed Dental Drills , Proc Roy Soc Med 54:242-244, 1961.

Flugge, C. , and Von Mikulicz-Radecki, J. : Das Operiren in Sterilisirten Zwirn Handschuhen und mit Mundbinde, Z61 Chir 24: 713, 1897.

Kolmar, J.A. : Approved Laboratory Techniques, New York: Appleton-Century Crofts, 1951.

Andersen, A.A. : New Air Sampler for the Collection, Sizing, and Enumeration of Viable Airborn Particles, J Bact 76:471-484, 1958.