Dental Environments

Dental work and oral care require the use of a variety of chemical substances that promote exposure to potentially harmful airborne contaminants for dentists, personnel and patients. Scientific studies reveal that both professionals and patients in dental environments are exposed to higher than regular levels of bacteria and viruses, mercury vapors, odors and chemical disinfectants than that of individuals in most indoor environments. Treatments such as amalgam procedures, high-speed drilling and surgeries generate vapors, bacteria and viruses that infect dental rooms.

- Airborne Infection Control
Virus and bacterial pathogens present within saliva are pathogenic microorganisms with implications for the spread of infection during the execution of dental treatments.

- Mercury Vapor Removal
Research demonstrates that dentists and their personnel have increased levels of inorganic mercury (Hg) in their blood and urine. Procedures such as amalgam (filling and removal) and surgeries are sources of mercury vapor introduction in dental environments. The dangers of continual exposure to mercury vapor can easily remain undetected because the substance is odorless and transforms from solid to gas at room temperature.

- Odors and Chemical Removal
Effective chemical disinfectants used in medical and dental offices to decontaminate hands, instruments and facilities usually contain Aldehydes (especially Formaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde) or phenol. These substances destroy bacteria and virus but they are toxic and pollute the air. On the other hand, disinfectant fluids also contain high concentrations of other toxic alcoholic compounds, such as ethanol, isopropanol, and n-propanol. Dentists and their staff constantly exposed to such air contaminators may experience symptoms such as nausea, impairment of the memory, motivation or dexterity. Disinfectants not only damage the work environment, they also generate an unpleasant odor.

To guarantee the maintenance of clean and pure air in dental offices, the specific air cleaning equipment should be able to capture particles (dust, droplets, microorganisms) and gaseous chemicals (mercury vapors, gaseous organic compounds). The proper devices must also be able to control drill aerosol and disinfectants.

IQAir Recommended Models

The IQAir Dental Series was specifically developed to bout these contaminants and maintain air quality in dental environments. The IQAir Dental Series contain high-efficiency particulate filters, as well as substantial gas phase filters for mercury vapors, disinfectants and volatile organic compounds.

The IQAir Dental Hg FlexVac is a stand-alone air cleaning system with a flexible source capture suction duct. It captures mercury vapor and drill aerosols right at the source before they can spread in the dental office and contaminate the surroundings. It reduces human exposure to harmful pollutants by removing them before they can be inhaled or disperse in the ambient air.

The IQAir Dental Pro is a multipurpose air cleaning system that has been developed specifically to remove dental pollutants from ambient air. It filters a wide range of gaseous and particulate air contaminants by constantly drawing in polluted room air and exhausting filtered air to the room.

The lQAir GC series is equally effective in guaranteeing air quality in dental offices as it features a specialized line of advanced air cleaning devices that meets almost any gas phase removal need in residential commercial or medical environments.