Efficacy of Dental Barriers in Aerosols and Splatters Reduction During an Ultrasonic Scaling: An In-vitro Study

BACKGROUND: Barrier enclosure systems were suggested as the protective equipment for aerosol-generating procedures. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of dental barriers in aerosols and splatters reduction during an ultrasonic scaling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of dental barriers: (1) metal frame with plastic wrap (MFPW) and (2) plastic shield chamber (PSC) were investigated. Ultrasonic scaling was performed on dental phantom head with and without the use of dental barriers. To detect the splatter contamination, the water system of the scaler was circulated with 0.1% fluorescein dye and filter papers were set at several parts of dental chair, body of an operator, and assistance. For bioaerosol production, water containing 10(7) colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL of Lactobacillus acidophilus was used as a water coolant system of the scaler. RESULTS: The total surface contamination found on the body of the operator was significantly decreased when using both MFPW and PSC barriers (P < 0.05). A significant reduction on the assistant’s body and the dental chair was only observed when PSC was used (P < 0.05). For bacterial aerosols, both barriers significantly reduced the number of bacterial colonies when compared with no barrier used (P < 0.05). The percentages of total colonies reduction for MFPW and PSC were 78.13 (±1.69) and 69.24 (±2.49), respectively. However, no difference in the total number of bacterial colonies was observed between the two types of barriers. CONCLUSION: A dental barrier system was effective in aerosols and splatters reduction during an ultrasonic scaling.