Dental Laser Safety Training

Although working with a dental laser might be quite simple to operate, there are a few things you need to know to make sure they work safely and effectively. The most important thing for everyone near a laser during operation is to wear protective eyewear. This includes the physician, the patient, the chairside attendants, and any bystanders, including relatives or friends. Also, wearing wavelength-specific protective eyewear is essential. In addition, limiting access to the surgical area, reducing reflective surfaces, posting warning signs outside the nominal hazard zone, and making sure the laser is in good operating order with all manufacturer safeguards in place can all help prevent accidental exposure to the non-target tissue.

What you will learn

• The risks of tissue damage and eye injuries resulting from laser exposure
• Various laser classifications and their significance in safety
• The importance of proper eye protection during laser procedures
• Proper maintenance and inspection of eye protection
• Proper ventilation in the laser operation area
• Safe techniques for operating dental lasers
• Strategies to avoid accidental laser exposures

Details

Course length: 1 hour and 30 minutes; CEU: 1.5

Languages: American English

Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment.

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Further Dental Laser Safety Measures

Additionally, high-volume suction should be utilized to remove any vapor plume produced during tissue ablation to prevent any exposure to infectious pathogens, and standard infection controls should be adhered to. Likewise, a dedicated Laser Safety Officer should be assigned to each office to oversee the safe use of the laser, arrange for staff training, supervise the use of protective eyewear, and be knowledgeable about the relevant rules.

Types of Dental Lasers

Depending on the lasing technique, there are many types of lasers used in dentistry. These consist of solid and gas lasers. They are also divided into categories based on the range of wavelengths available, the risk involved in using lasers, and whether you’re working with soft or hard tissue lasers. The carbon dioxide laser is an additional type of laser. Because of the great affinity this laser wavelength has for water, it can quickly remove soft tissue and achieve hemostasis at a very short penetration depth. The CO2 laser has the highest absorbance of any laser, but its drawbacks include its comparatively large size, high cost, and interactions with hard tissues that can be damaging.