Sir, the move to a total airborne pathogen respiratory risk reduction in dentistry and the added burden of significant PPE changing and disinfection between patients is here for the foreseeable future.
Our options were essentially FFP3 masks or respirators. Tight fitting and designed for limited wear times, these FFP3/non powered respirators are not wholly suited to continuous wear and whilst FFP3 can be comfortable for some colleagues, others have cited varying difficulties with fogging, time taken to don and doff and exorbitant replacement costs. FFP3 therefore seemed a limited option which did not make economic sense. Let us not even consider the term 'fit testing'. What a chore that was.
The closefitting respirators offered a solution to the cost, but once again were limited for loupe wearers as the nose area creates a vertical raising of the loupes and surgeons are having to strain to focus comfortably with the resultant headaches that eye strain causes. What about the heat generated? We are essentially wearing plastic bags and the mask/visor combination meant that after waiting five minutes for fogging and focusing to start, I was then plagued with condensation forming on my glasses/loupes! In addition to this, the patient can't see my face at any stage and communication is a chore.
That was fine for four patients a day hobby horsing dentistry, but we needed to get our team back to work, furlough is ending soon and we decided it would be better to consider powered respirators (PAPR). The consideration is that a comfortable dental professional is more likely to be efficient and to enjoy their work. We were determined to buy once and buy right. It takes seconds to put on and take off, most loupes fit in them (please check as not all do), and there is a lovely flow of air across your face, mitigating well against the heat of the aprons.
It's been six weeks since I've been wearing my Centurion Concept Air PAPR and I can say unequivocally we were right to get them. We can perform treatment after treatment without fatigue, you get used to them so much so that I wear it for every patient, even non-AGP, and it is quicker than mask and visor waiting to defog. I am also really appreciating the lack of any scent in the environment. I don't miss the smell of bond or infectious teeth.
Those with a heavy NHS practice commitment might not even be back to any credible workload yet. I know many of us are soldiering on and if you are comfortable with your solutions then fine but if you are tired, irritated and not looking forward to going back to work then change your direction and consider PAPR.