Strategic Placement of Portable Air Cleaners for Enhanced Aerosol Control in Dental Treatment Rooms: A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis

Background. Adequate ventilation is imperative for controlling respiratory transmission, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The commercial portable air cleaners have emerged as practical solutions to reduce contaminated aerosols in dental treatment rooms. This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess their impact on airflow dynamics. Methods. Dental treatment room models were constructed using SolidWorks software, encompassing two distinct air conditioner grille orientations (straightening and 45-degree downward directions) and five different positions for the portable air cleaner (two located at the rear left/right of the dental unit and three at the foot end of the dental unit—center, left, and right corners). The study examined alterations in airflow direction and residual aerosol concentrations using ANSYS Fluent software. Results. The incorporation of portable air cleaners in dental treatment rooms significantly reduced aerosol levels across all model configurations. Notably, the placement of the portable air cleaner emerged as a critical factor influencing airflow patterns. In models with straightening and 45-degree downward air conditioner grille orientations, optimal positioning was near the operating field and at the foot end of the dental chair, respectively. Conclusion. This investigation highlights the pivotal role of strategic portable air cleaner placement in dental treatment rooms for effective aerosol removal. Placing the air cleaner near the operating field or at the foot end of the dental chair not only improved airflow patterns but also enhanced aerosol removal efficiency, ultimately promoting superior air quality within dental treatment environments.