How Cardiff University Used Air Purifiers To Allow Dental Students and Staff To Carry On Practising During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Problem

Safe delivery of dental treatment and dentistry teaching was compromised during the Covid pandemic

The safe delivery of treatment has always been an essential aspect in dentistry. Over the past 40 years the dental profession has responded to the emergence of many viruses and strict universal protocols are now in place, in particular, the mandatory use of high-volume aspiration and good ventilation in relation to the control of aerosols. The respiratory nature of the Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of this aspect of maintaining a safe working environment.

The Solution

The installation of 180 air purifiers provided reassurance for patients and staff

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the University Dental Hospital and School in Cardiff invested in 180 DentAir air cleaning machines as an additional layer of protection for patients and staff. The individual units have been placed adjacent to each dental chair within the building. The modern equipment is relatively small when compared to earlier types of these machines and their instalment has not caused any space issues for staff whilst treating patients. 'Personally, I felt reassured at times when I noticed the equipment had detected a potential problem and automatically responded by increasing airflow,' said Professor Mike Lewis, author of the report. Importantly, the machines do not cause unacceptable noise even when at maximum air flow.

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The Result

'I am in no doubt that the installation of DentAir systems throughout the clinical facilities has contributed to the establishment of a safe dental teaching environment.'

"The delivery of dental care in the university Dental Hospital has returned to approximately 75% of the pre-Covid level of activity in many of the clinics allowing undergraduate and postgraduate teaching to be delivered alongside NHS services. There has been no known transmission of Sars-Cov-2 within the students or staff population since clinical services resumed 6 months ago. Whilst this is predominantly due to the universal infection prevention measures that are in place, I am in no doubt that the installation of DentAir systems throughout the clinical facilities has contributed to the establishment of a safe dental teaching environment."