The invention is an assortment of apparatuses to magnetically tether a dental hygienist's hand to the utility tubes and hoses commonly found in a dental office. In a preferred embodiment, this is an adjustable silicone utility band containing a magnet which is worn by the hygienist. This tethers him or her to a utility hose or tube, which has a clasp that contains a reciprocal magnet. In another embodiment, the invention is a ring or fingergrip which contain magnets that tether to the utility hose or tube via the magnetized clasp.

An adapter for an evacuator for increasing a suction power of the evacuator includes a suction assembly adapted to be coupled with the evacuator. The suction assembly has a housing, an impeller arranged inside the housing and configured to provide a suction, and an inlet conduit to facilitate a flow of fluid to the impeller. The suction assembly also includes an outlet conduit arranged inside the housing and adapted to be coupled to the evacuator. The outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the impeller and facilitates a flow of the fluid from the suction assembly to the evacuator.

A disposable dental waste filter device has a body having a receiving end, and a separable cap having a tip end, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap. A disposable dental waste filter device also has a body having a receiving end, a central lumen for receiving and capturing amalgam, a filter, and a circular leg portion having an exterior channel, and a separable cap having a tip end, a circular outer rim having a circular end ridge portion with the ridge portion adapted to be inserted into the exterior channel of the body for a snap fit engagement between the cap and the body, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap.

An apparatus and method for removing amalgam and waste particles from dental office suction effluent. The apparatus includes an upper chamber and a solids collection canister removably secured thereto. Dental office suction effluent drawn through a dental suction wand enters the upper chamber along a lateral flow path above a substantially cylindrical internal wall portion. A gas component of dental office suction effluent changes direction by more than 60° before it exits the upper chamber through an exit port. A riser conveys a liquid and solids component of dental office suction effluent through a drain into the solids collection canister. A flow restrictor allows liquids and gases to exit the solids collection canister interior volume but prohibits solids from exiting the solids collection canister interior volume.

A suction tool is provided for evacuating debris, liquids, aerosols, and the like. The suction tool has a central lumen or bore, and one or more peripheral flow passages that are in communication with the central lumen. A low volume evacuation tool, such as a saliva ejector, can be connected or integrated with the central lumen for evacuating saliva and debris. The peripheral flow passages evacuate aerosols and other airborne particles. The suction tool can be connected with conventional vacuum pumps. The suction tool can have a control port that can be opened or obstructed to control the flow rate through the central lumen and the flow passages.

Medical gas or airborne contaminants can be evacuated from a vicinity of a face of a patient using an intake duct defining an intake opening at a single intake location. The single intake opening is supported offset to one side of a face of the patient and an exhaust flow is applied at a flow rate of greater than 200 cubic feet per minute such that a single flow is drawn across the face of the user and into the intake duct. By drawing from only one side of the face of the patient with the prescribed flow rate, the velocity of gases and airborne contaminants flowing towards the intake duct can exceed the forward momentum of gases and/or contaminants expelled by the patient so as to capture substantially all medical gases and/or contaminants in the vicinity of the face of the patient.

Medical gas or airborne contaminants can be evacuated from a vicinity of a face of a patient using an intake duct defining an intake opening at a single intake location. The single intake opening is supported offset to one side of a face of the patient and an exhaust flow is applied at a flow rate of greater than 200 cubic feet per minute such that a single flow is drawn across the face of the user and into the intake duct. By drawing from only one side of the face of the patient with the prescribed flow rate, the velocity of gases and airborne contaminants flowing towards the intake duct can exceed the forward momentum of gases and/or contaminants expelled by the patient so as to capture substantially all medical gases and/or contaminants in the vicinity of the face of the patient.

An extraoral suction device for managing aerosol emissions during dental procedures includes: a conduit; an adapter in fluid communication with the conduit; and a mount for mounting the extraoral suction device to a dental chair. The adapter is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source to provide suction to the extraoral suction device. The conduit can be selectively manipulated to assume and maintain a position without support from an individual or designated support structure. A dental professional can thus manipulate the conduit to maintain a position in front of the oral cavity of a patient seated in the dental chair to direct aerosols emitted from the oral cavity of the patient into the extraoral suction device instead of the surrounding environment. The extraoral suction device can thus be combined with a dental chair and vacuum source to provide an improved dental chair system for dental procedures.

An extraoral suction device for managing aerosol emissions during dental procedures includes: a conduit; an adapter in fluid communication with the conduit; and a mount for mounting the extraoral suction device to a dental chair. The adapter is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source to provide suction to the extraoral suction device. The conduit can be selectively manipulated to assume and maintain a position without support from an individual or designated support structure. A dental professional can thus manipulate the conduit to maintain a position in front of the oral cavity of a patient seated in the dental chair to direct aerosols emitted from the oral cavity of the patient into the extraoral suction device instead of the surrounding environment. The extraoral suction device can thus be combined with a dental chair and vacuum source to provide an improved dental chair system for dental procedures.

An apparatus and method for removing amalgam and waste particles from dental office suction effluent. The apparatus includes an upper chamber and a solids collection canister removably secured thereto. Dental office suction effluent drawn through a dental suction wand enters the upper chamber along a lateral flow path above a substantially cylindrical internal wall portion. A gas component of dental office suction effluent changes direction by more than 60° before it exits the upper chamber through an exit port. A riser conveys a liquid and solids component of dental office suction effluent through a drain into the solids collection canister. A flow restrictor allows liquids and gases to exit the solids collection canister interior volume but prohibits solids from exiting the solids collection canister interior volume.