In a timely development given the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have created a “portable tent-like shield”, according to News Medical: Life Sciences, which is place around a patient’s head, limiting exposure, both direct and indirect, by dentists and other dental staff to a range of infectious diseases.
The article notes that dental treatments typically involve working in close proximity to patients as well as leading to the “generation of aerosols as well as handling of oral fluids and blood.”
The Dental Droplet and Aerosol Reducing Tent (Dental DART), as the innovative device has been called, fits around the head of the patient in such a way that it effectively acts as a barrier to exposure to any potentially infectious diseases.
It also has another important benefit, notes the article.
“In addition, the Dental DART limits the spread of aerosols onto environmental surfaces, decreasing pathogen availability and potential cross-contamination.”
Freddy Boey, the Study Lead Researcher, Professor and Deputy President (Innovation & Enterprise) at the NUS says about the DART:
“The Dental DART is a design evolution and has been prepared to protect dentists and their patients from potential infectious agents present in the aerosols that are generated during dental procedures.”
For more on this development, go to “New portable shield prevents spread of saliva and aerosols generated during dental procedures”
