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I was wondering what type of dental work is safe to do with a level one mask and what work is not safe and should not be done with a level one mask? Thanks!

Ask OSAP can provide you with some general information on this topic.

Infection Control and Management of Hazardous Materials for the Dental Team states as follows:

Facemasks are composed of synthetic material that serves to filter out at least 95% of small particles that directly contact the mask. In 1995 the NIOSH (a part of the Public Health Service) indicated that it would certify three classes of filters---N-, R-, and P- series---with three levels of filter efficiency---95%, 99%, and 99.97%--- in each class. All filter tests are to use particles of aerosol size 0.3-mm aerodynamic mass median diameter. The filterability of masks is referred to as Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) or Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE). ASTM International (ASTM), formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, has developed standard specifications for facemask materials in five areas: bacterial filtration efficiency, particulate filtration efficiency, fluid resistance, breathability and flammability. These ASTM properties do not relate to regulatory approval for facemasks, like gloves and gowns, are cleared as medical devices by the FDA. These standards do help when selecting masks for purchase, which should be based on the amount of fluid and/or aerosols to which the mask will be exposed. An ASTM level 1 mask is for low amounts of fluid exposure having bacterial and particulate filtration efficiency of ≥95% and a fluid resistance of 80. The level 2 mask is for moderate amounts of fluid exposure and has bacterial and particulate filtration efficiencies of ≥98% and a fluid and a fluid resistance of 120. The level 3 mask is for moderate to heavy amounts of fluid exposure and has bacterial and particulate filtration efficiencies of ≥98% and a fluid resistance of 160. ¹

You may also find information in the following Google search to be of interest:

ASTM levels mask and dental
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=eXOhW_i6KvKOggeft52gBw&q=ASTM+levels+mask+and+dental&btnK=Google+Search&oq=ASTM+levels+mask+and+dental&gs_l=psy-ab.3..35i39.3038.12157..17602...0.0..0.81.718.10......0....1j2..gws-wiz.......0i22i30.hLFbte6BRU0 ²

If you have further questions about the use of a particular facemask product, it is recommended that you consult with the product’s instructions for use (IFU) or that you contact the manufacturer directly.

Resources

1) Miller CH. Infection Control and Management of Hazardous Materials for the Dental Team, 6th edition. Elsevier/Mosby Publishers. Pages 106 -107.

2) www.Google.com. Search using the terms “ASTM levels mask and dental”. https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=eXOhW_i6KvKOggeft52gBw&q=ASTM+levels+mask+and+dental&btnK=Google+Search&oq=ASTM+levels+mask+and+dental&gs_l=psy-ab.3..35i39.3038.12157..17602...0.0..0.81.718.10......0....1j2..gws-wiz.......0i22i30.hLFbte6BRU0 Accessed on March 12, 2020.

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