We have been receiving a lot of interest in Dental Exhaust Snorkel for dentist offices/clinics with the pandemic and everything opening back up slowly. The American Dental Association has now released new requirements to be used for cleaning and other dental procedures.
Dental Exhaust Snorkels
Dental Exhaust Snorkels are an effective way to re-open dentist offices while reducing the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to patients, dental hygienists, and dentists.
Engineering Control Solutions for Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs)
Dental Exhaust Snorkels provide dental clinics solutions to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) while using dental instruments like aerosol airborne contamination procedures.
How We Are Helping Dentist Offices Re-open After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Health and Safety Organization Coronavirus (COVID-19) Recommendations
Hazards of Aerosol Airborne Contamination
Dental Aerosol Characteristics
Includes submicronic (< 1 μ m) particles that stay suspended in the air for extended periods that may contain Coronavirus (COVID-19).- May contain microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria.
- May contain dust or other byproducts, including silica or mercury fumes.
- It creates a potential route for disease transmission.
- Poses a risk to dentist offices, dental clinics, clinicians, staff, and patients.
SARS-CoV 2 has highlighted the need for enhanced AGP safety procedures
“Considering that patients who are asymptomatic may still be Coronavirus (COVID 19) infectious, it should be assumed that all dentist patients can transmit disease.” American Dental Association
Reduce Airborne Contamination of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Exhaust Safely Outdoors
Exhaust HEPA Filtered Air Outdoors
Recirculate HEPA Filtered Air
Dental Exhaust Snorkel Models
The ORIGINAL model is a robust and reliable all-around articulating arm for general applications and fumes, dust, where there is little to no electrical discharges or attack by aggressive chemicals. The extraction arm is shown fitted with a multi-purpose transparent hood.
The ESD/EX model is designed for use in electronic environments where there is a risk of electrostatic discharges. Following risk assessment, the ESD/EX can also be used for certain applications in explosive environments. The extraction arm is made of conductive materials, eliminating the risk of static electricity and sparks. The hood is made of anodized metal.
The CHEM model has profiles made of double anodized aluminum. The articulating arm is ideal for fume extraction in aggressive environments where corrosion resistance must be assured. The extraction arm shown here is fitted with a painted, corrosion-resistant metal hood.
Reduce Airborne Contamination Recommendations
Dental Exhaust Snorkels Capture and Convey Safely of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Source capture is the most effective and energy-efficient engineering control solution. To ensure proper capture and conveyance of the aerosol, it is vital to have an appropriate arm/hood placement and adequate airflow to create sufficient capture velocity and conveying velocity through the duct.
Dental Exhaust Snorkels Installation Flexibility and Easy to Position
Wherever Works Best for You
The FX extraction arms can be mounted and adequately supported through directly from the ceiling or on the wall. Ceiling mounts save valuable floor space and improve safety by eliminating trip hazards associated with other solutions.
Always in the Right Spot
With the unique ability to swivel the arm 360 at three joints, the hood can be placed at optimal angles to both capture the aerosol and reduce airborne contamination without obstructing the dental clinics procedure.
Benchtop or mount down alternatives is also available.
Dentist Exhaust Snorkels Arm Look, Feel and Function
Aesthetic Design
A lean, smooth, and low-profile design matches medical office environments. The tubes are constructed of anodized aluminum (optional white coating), which is durable but looks great.
Easy to Operate
The arms three joints with 360-degree rotation make the arm easy for clinicians to adjust and move out of the way when not in use.
Quiet Operation
At the recommended air volume for capture, the FX2 arm noise level is less than 60 dB, which is equivalent to a normal conversation.
Dentist Offices High Performing Filtration Options
When the air cannot be safely exhausted or requires circulation, Nederman offers Medical Grade HEPA (H13/H14) filter options, which is the best available technology according to global health and safety organization recommendations. Medical Grade HEPAs are 100% factory tested, and QC labeled for meeting the minimum efficiency requirement.
MFS HEPA Dental Filter Kit
- Certified HEPA filter
- Mounts in line with the exhaust duct
- No separate housing required
- Easy to mount frame that fits in most drop ceilings
- Not exposed to filter media during replacement
N3 Fan and Integrated Dental Filter Kit
- Certified HEPA filter
- Includes integrated fan
- Simple and quick installation
- Returns filtered air into the room
- Limited flexibility for ducted options
Dental Clinics Effective Coronavirus (COVID-19) Capture
The integrated capture hood standard on the FX2 75 dental exhaust snorkels creates an effective capture zone when properly placed near the dentist offices patient.
Relative Capture Efficiency at Distance and Position
Dentist Exhaust Snorkels Installation Planning
Mounting Location
When choosing a mounting location, consider a point from the ceiling that can reach and be positioned appropriately for dentist offices patient care but can also be stored when not in use out of the way.
Exhaust Design
While exhausting the aerosol is the first choice, it needs to be done safely and avoid re-entrainment. Care must be taken to ensure that the exhaust is not near air intakes or operable windows. Consult industry professionals or local codes and standards for dental exhaust snorkels guidance.
Room Air Patterns
Numerous air patterns already exist within any building resulting from HVAC systems, work being performed, or other factors. When capturing the contaminant, you want to reduce or eliminate cross drafts where possible. If recirculating air, take note of where the HVAC air intake and delivery vents are. Ideally, you want to mix the air and align the airflow patterns to reduce airborne contamination.
Individual vs. Central Systems
Offices with multiple source capture points can have one system per “chair” or a central system. Installation complexity, building construction, power service, energy consumption, and work habits are factors that can influence the best choice for your office. Your Labs USA representative can discuss your needs and provide a recommendation for a system best for you.
Dentist Offices Engineering Control Guidance
Dental Clinics Facilities Handbook 2019
Section 3.2 Dental Care Facilities. “Many standard dental procedures generate aerosols, dust, and particulates. The aerosols/dust may contain microorganisms (both pathogenic and benign), metals (e.g., mercury fumes), and other substances (e.g., silicone dust, latex, allergens). Some measurements indicate that levels of bioaerosols during and immediately following a procedure can be extremely high.”…”Consider using local exhaust ventilation (possibly recirculating with HEPA filtration) to help capture and control these aerosols, because dental care providers and patients are often closer together.”
Section 2.1 Air Quality – Contaminant Source Control. “Certain aerosol-generating activities may also benefit from local control techniques to minimize virus dissemination and other contaminants. Exhausted enclosures (e.g., biological safety cabinets, chemical fume hoods, benchtop enclosures) and localized collection methods (e.g., snorkels, direct equipment connections) are typical control measures.”
Section 2.1 Air Quality Filtration. Some authorities recommend using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters with test filtering efficiencies of 99.97% in certain areas. Although there is no known method to effectively eliminate 100% of viable particles, HEPA and/or ultralow penetration (ULPA) filters provide the highest air cleaning efficiency currently available.
Dentist Exhaust Snorkels Controlling Exposure to Reduce Airborne Contamination
“Engineering Controls are favored over administrative and personal protective equipment (PPE) for controlling existing worker exposures in the workplace because they are designed to remove the hazard at the source before it comes in contact with the worker. Well-designed engineering controls can be highly effective in protecting workers and will typically be independent of worker interactions to provide this high level of protection. The initial cost of engineering controls can be higher than the cost of administrative controls or PPE. Still, over the longer term, operating costs are frequently lower, and in some instances, can provide cost savings in other areas of the process.”
Aerosol Coronavirus (COVID-19) Solutions
Engineering Controls Solutions
Engineering controls must be considered an additional protective layer as part of an overall strategy to mitigate risks associated with AGPs. No system can assure 100% risk mitigation, and best practice is a multi-layered safety approach per relevant health and safety organizations.
Dentist Exhaust Snorkels Solution Approach
- Utilize a High-Volume Extractor (HVE) system with a high capture hood and articulating an extraction arm to capture a high percentage of aerosol near the source.
- Where possible, exhaust the collected and diluted aerosol safely out of the building.
- When necessary, filter the aerosol using a medical-grade HEPA filter (H13/H14) before exhausting.
- If the exhaust is not possible, filter the aerosol using a medical-grade HEPA filter (H13/H14) and recirculate within the room.
Summary: Dentist Exhaust Snorkels & Coronavirus (COVID-19)
AGPs create potentially dangerous, submicronic Coronavirus (COVID-19) particles that can linger in the air for extended periods, posing a threat to health care workers.- Health and safety organizations, including OSHA, NIOSH, and ASHRAE, recommend a multi-layered approach to safety, including engineering controls.
- Source capture is the most effective and energy-efficient method of controlling airborne pollutants, including the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Dental exhaust snorkels offer best in class performance for capture, noise level, installation flexibility, and simple to use and operate while matching the aesthetics and clean appearance of dentist offices.
- Once the aerosol is captured, exhausting it outdoors is the first choice. If the air cannot be exhausted safely, filter the air with a medical-grade HEPA filter before exhausting or recirculating the air in the dental clinic.
Our Mission
Our mission is to protect dental clinics, reduce airborne contamination, and products from the harmful effects of industrial processes. By doing that, we contribute to efficient production, environmental benefits, and a safer dentist offices.
A chemical lab company reach out to us in search for a chemical resistant exhaust snorkel, and needed help fast.
Dykier called us for a dental exhaust snorkels for dentist offices. Ben knew that we have exhaust snorkels in-stock and was able to find a solution promptly.
Labs USA provided them with a solution promptly, Now Farley White pharmaceutical labs own exhaust snorkel they can pride themselves in.
FAQ
- What are the diameters available?
- Typically 2”, 3”, and 4” depending on the length.
- What are the lengths of the arms?
- Standard sizes are 43” 59” 70” and 94”.
- What are the mounting options?
- We offer multiple kits to mount it to the ceiling, wall, and tables/benches. We also have extension tubes for tall and drop ceilings.
- Do the snorkels include blowers, fans, dampers, ducts or HVAC work?
- No. It is usually done by an HVAC contractor.
