A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide as a Non-Contact Decontamination System for Pathogens Associated with the Dental Environment.

Aerosol generation and a wide range of pathogens originating from the oral cavity of the patient contaminate various surfaces of the dental clinic. The aim was to determine the efficacy of vaporized hydrogen peroxide fogging on pathogens related to the dental environment and its possible application in dentistry. PICOS statement (Population, Intervention, Comparison/Control, Outcome and Study design statement) was used in the review. Six electronic databases were searched for articles published from 2010 to 2020. Articles written in English reporting vaporized hydrogen peroxide on pathogens deemed to be relevant to the dental environment were assessed. The quality of the studies was assessed using the risk-of-bias assessment tool designed for the investigation of vaporized hydrogen peroxide application in dentistry. A total of 17 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The most commonly reported single bacterial pathogen was Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in five studies, and the viruses Feline calicivirus, Human norovirus, and Murine norovirus were featured in three studies. The results of the studies reporting the log kill were sufficient for all authors to conclude that vaporized hydrogen peroxide generation was effective for the assessed pathogens. The studies that assessed aerosolized hydrogen peroxide found a greater log kill with the use of vaporized hydrogen peroxide generators. The overarching conclusion was that hydrogen peroxide delivered as vaporized hydrogen peroxide was an effective method to achieve large levels of log kill on the assessed pathogens. The hydrogen peroxide vapor generators can play a role in dental bio-decontamination. The parameters must be standardized and the efficacy assessed to perform bio-decontamination for the whole clinic. For vaporized hydrogen peroxide generators to be included in the dental bio-decontamination regimen, certain criteria should be met. These include the standardization and efficacy assessment of the vaporized hydrogen peroxide generators in dental clinics.

COVID-19 and its impact in the dental setting: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: The scoping review examined the evidence related to infection control and transmission measures of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a dental setting during this pandemic. Dental practitioners are normally guided in practice by set ethical principles, thus the researchers wanted to determine how these rules are managed during this pandemic. METHODS: A protocol specific for the objectives of this study was developed according to the criteria for a scoping review. Relevant databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Elsevier, Science Direct, Wiley), including online access to health/ dental organizations (World Health Organization/ American Dental Association), were searched to identify evidence which was restricted to the English language for the period 2015-2020. Predetermined eligibility criteria were applied, evidence was assessed and data extracted for each included article. Relevant outcomes assessed were: infection control measures, transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as modes and sources of transmission and the ethical principles related to the dental setting with a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Searches yielded a total of 402 articles: 387 from electronic databases and 15 from other sources. Of these, 231 were unrelated to the objectives of the current scoping review. The full text of 69 studies was assessed for eligibility, of which 26 were finalized for inclusion following the objectives and inclusion criteria set for the scoping review. Most of the included articles were reviews, recommendations and guidelines for dentists. A narrative explanation of the pre-specified outcomes is reported for the 3 areas covered for this review. There is no clinical evidence available that can support the recommendations by individuals, dental organizations or health authorities related to the objectives of this review, but these may be considered as the much needed guidelines during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. A different ethical framework is required during a pandemic and these must be informed by evidence.

Streptococcus mutans Growth and Resultant Material Surface Roughness on Modified Glass Ionomers.

The present study investigate the optical density of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) at 450 nm (OD450 nm) as well as the change in surface roughness of three commercially available chitosan- and nanodiamond-modified glass ionomers. The results indicated that the optical density of S. mutans OD450 nm decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) from 0 h through 2-4 h for each of the control materials. The lowest S. mutans OD450 nm was noted for Fuji IX followed by Ketac Universal. Riva Self Cure had the largest increase in the S. mutans OD450 nm. The control materials and their chitosan/nanodiamond modifications showed significant growth at 6 h compare to the preceding time periods of 2 and 4 h. The materials Fuji IX, Fuji IX modified with 5% Nanodiamonds, Fuji IX modified with 10% Chitosan and Ketac Universal modified with 10% Chitosan performed the best with regard to the bacterial reduction. Only the chitosan modifications showed an increase in the surface roughness after 24 h of exposure to the S. mutans. The chitosan and the nanodiamond modifications provided the best disruption of the S. mutans biofilm formation.