Study: Managing carbon dioxide levels in operatories can reduce disease risk

A new study on carbon dioxide levels in closed operatories showed that dentists could easily monitor CO₂ —elevated levels of which are long associated with increased transmission of infectious respiratory diseases like COVID-19—with a simple device and if needed, improve ventilation to reduce risk.

Ventilation Assessment by Carbon Dioxide Levels in Dental Treatment Rooms, published in the Journal of Dental Research (JDR), evaluated CO₂ levels in 10 dental operatories. The study measured mechanical ventilation rate in air change per hour with an air velocity sensor and air flow balancing hood. Results indicated CO₂ levels in dental treatment rooms could be measured with a simple consumer-grade CO₂ sensor, and that dental professionals could determine ventilation rate by either natural or experimental buildup of CO₂ levels in operatory settings.

Increased CO₂ levels have long been associated with the transmission of infectious respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, and rhinovirus infections; as such, it’s considered a risk marker for such transmission.

Access the full study: Ventilation Assessment by Carbon Dioxide Levels in Dental Treatment Rooms.