Efficacy of personal protective equipment and H2 O2 -based spray against coronavirus in dental setting

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 by asymptomatic individuals presents a significant challenge in dental settings, where aerosol-generating procedures increase the risk of airborne transmission. This study evaluates the protective efficacy of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a hydrogen peroxide-based spray in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission during dental procedures. The experimental setup simulated a dental practice in a pressure-tight chamber with patient and operator phantoms, using a dental air turbine to generate aerosol from artificial saliva containing coronavirus 229E, representing an asymptomatic viral load. Various PPE were tested, including surgical masks, N95/FFP2 respirators, and face shields, while a vacuum pump simulated the operator breathing. Additionally, high-volume evacuators (HVE) and a 0.5 vol% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) spray were assessed for their impact on mitigating viral load. Results showed low viral presence on PPE surfaces, with masks and respirators exhibiting higher viral loads when no face shield was used. The combination of face shields with masks or respirators reduced viral contamination to undetectable levels. Importantly, the H2O2 spray eliminated viral presence on all surfaces, suggesting strong virucidal activity. In conclusion, combining face shields with masks or respirators, alongside a 0.5 vol% H2O2 spray, offers high protection against SARS-CoV-2 transmission during dental procedures, significantly reducing infection risks.