Choosing the Best Mask for the Task
Selecting the right mask for the task at hand is critical. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Food and Drug Administration consider surgical face masks one-time-use disposable medical devices.1,2 Masks are available ranging from minimum performance to maximum filtration depending on the task. Procedures involving aerosols and splash/spatter require masks with higher filtration levels. Tasks not involving splash/spatter/aerosols can use masks with little or no filtration (physical barrier) for brief examinations or when exposing radiographs.3,4
The American Society for Testing and Materials Standards (ASTM) guideline F2100-118 provides specifications for surgical face masks including bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), submicron particulate filtration (PFE), delta P differential pressure, fluid resistance, and flammability.3,5 Masks with at least 95% BFE and PFE are preferable in the dental setting for nonaerosol generating procedures. Surgical face masks provide protection from liquid splash or spray. ASTM levels are classified into three levels of protection (low, moderate, high) to help clinicians decide which mask is appropriate for the task.3-5
* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.
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