The usefulness of the modified extra-oral vacuum aspirator (EOVA) from household vacuum cleaner in reducing bacteria in dental aerosols.
OBJECTIVE
Currently, as a preventive measure against air contamination caused by dental procedures, dust-collecting aspirators such as an extra-oral vacuum aspirator (EOVA) are coming into general use. In this study, we tested the ability of a modified EOVA that uses a household vacuum machine.


METHODS
The study was conducted in two parts. First, the modified EOVA was tested for its ability to eliminate an Escherichia coli aerosol generated in a manikin. Second, the device was tested for its ability to remove the aerosol generated by dental treatment procedures, scaling and drilling a tooth, on human subjects.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant reduction in both the E. coli aerosol and the oral bacterial aerosol during dental treatment procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
The modified EOVA machine is highly effective in preventing air contamination by dental procedures. Its main advantages are that it can easily be modified for use with any dental unit and it is relatively inexpensive.
Teanpaisan
R
R
Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. trawee@ratree.psu.ac.th
Taeporamaysamai
M
M
Rattanachone
P
P
Poldoung
N
N
Srisintorn
S
S
D000336:Aerosols; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000382:microbiology; D003770:Dental Offices; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D008348:Manikins; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014618:Vacuum
D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational