High Speed Vacuum Suction

• The dentist's assistant plays a vital role by making sure that infection control guidelines are met during procedures. The assistant holds a high-speed vacuum suction as close as possible to the tooth being worked. This suction captures most loose particles floating in the patient's mouth. Despite her best efforts, some aerosol will escape into the room.
  
  

Rubber Dams

• Rubber dams are an excellent way to decrease the chances of patients swallowing loose dental materials. The rubber dam is placed directly onto the tooth. It creates a barrier that covers the back of the patient's mouth and throat, deflecting any debris. Although drilled material might not go down the patient's throat, it can bounce off of the dam and into the room.
  
  

Masks and Safety Glasses

• As the aerosol of driller materials spreads out into the room, it can float into the faces of the dentist, assistant and patient. To avoid direct exposure to this material, dentists and their assistants are required to wear surgical masks and protective eyewear. Some dentists require that the patients also wear eye protection. For extra protection, patients can close their eyes while being worked on.
  
  

Paper Barriers, Counters and Floors

• The drilled materials usually settle on the counters and floor of the dentist's room. Paper or tape barriers have been strategically placed around the room. After each procedure, the dentist's assistants remove and dispose of these barriers. Hard surfaces are wiped down with a heavy-duty germicidal wipe. This kills germs such as hepatitis and HIV. The floors are then swept and mopped.