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LETTER TO EDITOR
Year : 2021  |  Volume : 19  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 156-157

Igloo Dentistry


Department of prosthodontics Crown and Bridge Including Implantology, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India

Date of Submission11-Apr-2021
Date of Decision30-Apr-2021
Date of Acceptance09-Jun-2021
Date of Web Publication2-Aug-2021

Correspondence Address:
Sangam Bhavana Lahari
D/o Sangam Vasudevarao, Mullapeta, Walkers Road, 20/2/889, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_59_21

Rights and Permissions

How to cite this article:
Lahari SB, Kumar V H, Madhav M S, Reddy M D. Igloo Dentistry. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent 2021;19:156-7

How to cite this URL:
Lahari SB, Kumar V H, Madhav M S, Reddy M D. Igloo Dentistry. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent [serial online] 2021 [cited 2024 Mar 29];19:156-7. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/aphd/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2021/19/2/156/322866




  Introduction Top


During the dental procedures, there are chances for transmission of disease causing organisms and cross-contamination. One of the major sources of transference is through aerosols, and most of the dental treatments are interlinked with the aerosol generations with aerators, three-way syringe, etc., in this pandemic; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has listed dental care professionals into high-risk category. Before COVID-19 period, dental management includes usage of masks, gloves, eye wear, etc., as precautionary measurements; however, during this pandemic, the healthcare professionals were suggested to use PPE kits and face shield to reduce potential viral load. However, these barriers are not sole enough as the particles that are expelled out accumulate in the working area. A new protection barrier has been suggested on March 23, 2020, by Dr. Hsien Yung's. This is placed over a patients' head and neck allowing adequate protection for dentists and auxiliary staff during the procedures.[1] The present technique describes modifications made which ease both dentist and patient mainly in global hazard circumstances.


  Igloo Dentistry Technique Top


The whole substructure design carries a base of a U-shaped framework with dimensions of 60 cm × 40 cm and projection rods, with a height of 50 cm, made up of acrylic resin sheet. The whole set could be attached to the neck of the dental chairs with the help of threads [Figure 1]. A thin plastic sheet was then spread and attached, aiding binder clips over the framework [Figure 2] and [Figure 3]. The accessory vents were marked according to the requirement of quadrants and then sliced with the help of the Bard–Parker blade.
Figure 1: Substructure with U-shaped framework and projection rods

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Figure 2: Substructure with plastic sheet (Igloo) attached with the help of binder clips and preparation of customized access vents

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Figure 3: Binder clips

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In previous models of the aerosol box, the upper part of the framework is fixed to the lower compartment, not allowing through disinfection after treatment, and also they come up with prefabricated accessory vents which allow limited access.[1] However, the advantages of the present modification include a detachable thin plastic sheet (Igloo), which acts as an upper compartment that permits the passage of visible light and provides through disinfection of the open framework. Moreover, customization of accessory vents as per the treatment requirement allows better access to the clinician and auxiliaries [Figure 4]. After completing the procedure, the sheet can be removed or reused after disinfection or discarded and replaced with new ones. The framework fabrication is very economical, and the dimensions of the substructure allow the comfortable fit of the broad-shouldered and heavy clients, and also, the height of the projections facilitates the aerosol distribution. Although the technique is reasonably working good, still the further studies have to be conducted in the future on amount of distribution of aerosols.
Figure 4: Visibility and accessibility of required treatment through customized vents

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We admit that there is a sequence of steps to be followed before performing the treatment. However, this would delay the treatment, “but as there is a necessity to stop the spread of infection and treat, the need of patient physical barriers plays a considerable role.”

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
Maniar A, Jagannathan B. The aerosol box. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2020;36(Suppl 1):S141-3.  Back to cited text no. 1
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]



 

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