Chin J Dent Res 2020;23(2):105–107; doi:10.3290/j.cjdr.a44746
Ventilation in the Dental Clinic: An Effective Measure to Control Droplets and Aerosols during the Coronavirus Pandemic and Beyond
Writer:Lin YUE Clicked:
Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypodontia in the general population and orthodontic population in adolescent Chinese Hans. Methods: Two groups named the general population (6015 subjects) and the orthodontic population (2781 subjects) were investigated, respectively. The former came from the students of three general universities in North China and the latter came from patients coming to the Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology for orthodontic consulting during the summer and winter holidays in 2008. The prevalence and average missing number of hypodontic teeth was investigated in the two groups. The distribution of missing teeth was analysed between jaw positions and between genders. Results: The prevalence of tooth agenesis was found to be 5.89% for the general population group and 7.48% for orthodontic subjects. Tooth agenesis was more frequently found in females than in males in both of the two groups and showed a statistically significant difference (
Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that human-to-human transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) most frequently occurs through virus-laden respiratory droplets discharged from infected individuals while coughing and sneezing. Aerosols can act as another potential transmission route. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised medical personnel to consider taking ‘airborne precautions’. It is important to protect dentists and patients and reduce the amount of spatter produced during dental procedures. In order to prevent airborne transmission, dental offices should be sufficiently ventilated, with great emphasis placed upon removing bioaerosols.
Key words: aerosol, airborne transmission, disease prevention during dental care, SARSCoV-2, ventilation
(editor:CJDR) |
