Currently, all types of dental treatment are lumped together into one category in ASHRAE's Standard 170 for Health Care facilities. This lecture provides a rationale and evidence for consideration of a risk-based approach to facilities management of dental facilities. In April 2024, a WHO consensus panel agreed on common terminology for airborne transmission of respiratory-acquired infectious diseases. Rather than the dichotomy of "droplets or aerosols" for different size emissions, the term, infectious respiratory particles, or IRPs, is used to describe emissions from infected persons. IRPs may be released from the nose, throat or mouth of infected persons during talking, spitting, singing, coughing, sneezing or laughing. A review of risks of respiratory infections, recommended vaccines for respiratory-acquired infections and respiratory acquired infections reported from dental offices is provided. This includes a report of a Midwestern outbreak of tuberculosis in a dental practice. In addition, additional risks may occur during generation of IRPs from different types of dental treatment, which vary in duration and complexity. Therefore, assessing total risks and risk mitigation of IRPs during dental treatment is essential. Re-categorizing facilities that provide dental treatment by risk ensures that how facilities are used (e.g. what type of dental treatment is provided) are matched to facility needs, including appropriate ventilation and filtration requirements. A benefit of this approach is to harmonize dental treatment facilities consistent with management of other inpatient and outpatient care facilities. Re-categorization of dental treatment by procedures and duration would ensure that a realistic, risk-based approach is used to prevent transmission of respiratory infections during dental treatment. Selective conditions for monitoring of dental offices, with air and surface testing, along with appropriate testing of waterlines, is provided in this review. Future considerations for risk mitigation and safety during dental treatment should include facilities management, assessment of indoor air quality, installation of proper engineering controls consistent with ASHRAE 241 testing, and other risk mitigation methods. A risk-based approach to different kinds of dental treatment can help minimize any risks of transmission of respiratory infections to providers and patients in the dental treatment environment.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Assess key risks for acquisition of respiratory infections during dental treatment.
2. Propose a re-categorization of dental treatment facilities based on use or type of treatment  types of dental treatment, similar to hospitals.
3. Propose different categories for dental treatment facilities, based on use, harmonizing with current ASHRAE Standard 170 for health care facilities.

Steps to Complete Course:

1. Click on On-Demand Recording below and watch the video
2. Complete the Assessment (requires a passing score of 70%)
3. Complete the Evaluation 
   • Once you complete the Evaluation, you can find your CE Certificate under MY ACCOUNT > MY CERTIFICATES