A study to determine the three-dimensional (3D) facial shape characteristics for a successful FFP3 mask fit

Abstract A reported 20% of dental staff will fail their fit test for a disposable FFP3 respirator. This needs to be factored into future pandemic workforce and PPE supply planning. At present there are no scientifically or universally accepted facial shape criteria to design and produce facial masks...

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Main Authors: Manpreet K. Gakhal, Anant Bakshi, Min Gu, Balvinder S. Khambay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80001-4
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author Manpreet K. Gakhal
Anant Bakshi
Min Gu
Balvinder S. Khambay
author_facet Manpreet K. Gakhal
Anant Bakshi
Min Gu
Balvinder S. Khambay
author_sort Manpreet K. Gakhal
collection DOAJ
description Abstract A reported 20% of dental staff will fail their fit test for a disposable FFP3 respirator. This needs to be factored into future pandemic workforce and PPE supply planning. At present there are no scientifically or universally accepted facial shape criteria to design and produce facial masks that will fit the entire work force. This study presents differences in facial shape, volume and surface area between individuals who passed on several FFP3 masks (pass group) and participants who passed on only one FFP3 mask (fail group). Three dimensional images of 50 individuals, 25 in each group, were taken at rest and at maximum smile using a DI4D SNAP 6200 camera system. The images were processed, and four “average faces” were produced—pass group at rest, fail group at rest, pass group at maximum smile and fail group at maximum smile. Simple Euclidian linear and angular measurements, geodesic surface distances and volume and surface area enclosed within the mask were analysed. The results of the study show that individuals who are more likely to pass a mask fit test have longer faces, wider mouths, greater geodesic surface distances and a greater volume and surface area of soft tissue enclosed within the mask boundary. This would suggest that some manufactures masks may be too large, and they need to reduce the size of their masks or produce a category of sizes, accepting the fact that one size does not fit all.
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spelling doaj-art-04b25bb538d2463e89b489d7caeb93e52024-11-24T12:27:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-80001-4A study to determine the three-dimensional (3D) facial shape characteristics for a successful FFP3 mask fitManpreet K. Gakhal0Anant Bakshi1Min Gu2Balvinder S. Khambay3Department of Orthodontics, The School of Dentistry, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of BirminghamDepartment of Orthodontics, The School of Dentistry, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of BirminghamDiscipline of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Orthodontics, The School of Dentistry, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of BirminghamAbstract A reported 20% of dental staff will fail their fit test for a disposable FFP3 respirator. This needs to be factored into future pandemic workforce and PPE supply planning. At present there are no scientifically or universally accepted facial shape criteria to design and produce facial masks that will fit the entire work force. This study presents differences in facial shape, volume and surface area between individuals who passed on several FFP3 masks (pass group) and participants who passed on only one FFP3 mask (fail group). Three dimensional images of 50 individuals, 25 in each group, were taken at rest and at maximum smile using a DI4D SNAP 6200 camera system. The images were processed, and four “average faces” were produced—pass group at rest, fail group at rest, pass group at maximum smile and fail group at maximum smile. Simple Euclidian linear and angular measurements, geodesic surface distances and volume and surface area enclosed within the mask were analysed. The results of the study show that individuals who are more likely to pass a mask fit test have longer faces, wider mouths, greater geodesic surface distances and a greater volume and surface area of soft tissue enclosed within the mask boundary. This would suggest that some manufactures masks may be too large, and they need to reduce the size of their masks or produce a category of sizes, accepting the fact that one size does not fit all.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80001-4
spellingShingle Manpreet K. Gakhal
Anant Bakshi
Min Gu
Balvinder S. Khambay
A study to determine the three-dimensional (3D) facial shape characteristics for a successful FFP3 mask fit
Scientific Reports
title A study to determine the three-dimensional (3D) facial shape characteristics for a successful FFP3 mask fit
title_full A study to determine the three-dimensional (3D) facial shape characteristics for a successful FFP3 mask fit
title_fullStr A study to determine the three-dimensional (3D) facial shape characteristics for a successful FFP3 mask fit
title_full_unstemmed A study to determine the three-dimensional (3D) facial shape characteristics for a successful FFP3 mask fit
title_short A study to determine the three-dimensional (3D) facial shape characteristics for a successful FFP3 mask fit
title_sort study to determine the three dimensional 3d facial shape characteristics for a successful ffp3 mask fit
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80001-4
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