Interventions for aerosols generated during clinical practice

Researchers at the KI Department of Dental Medicine, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Zurich, have published a systematic review in the Journal of Dental Research, providing evidence for interventions that can reduce microbes transmitted via aerosols generated during clinical practice. While this topic has been always important for the dental profession and education, it has become of even higher priority after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In brief, the conclusions of the study are:

• Mouthrinse with tempered chlorhexidine 0.2% before the dental procedure is the most effective for reducing bacteria in aerosols, among the all studied interventions.
• There is yet no evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions against viruses in aerosols, including SARS-CoV-2. There are speculations that the use of povidone iodine and hydrogen peroxide may be effective.
• Risk management considerations for dental practice should constantly be updated based on the best available evidence, and adapting to the seasonal epidemics.