HTM 03-01 Ventilation Standards for Dental Surgeries: What You Need to Know

Why Ventilation Matters in Dentistry

Ventilation in a dental practice isn’t just about keeping the air fresh — it’s a key part of infection control, patient comfort, and regulatory compliance. With aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) being a routine part of dentistry, airborne particles can linger in the air if ventilation isn’t adequate.

That’s why the UK’s Department of Health introduced HTM 03-01 — guidance to make sure healthcare settings, including dental surgeries, have ventilation systems that are safe, effective, and regularly maintained.

What is HTM 03-01?

HTM 03-01 (Health Technical Memorandum 03-01) is the standard for ventilation in healthcare premises. For dental surgeries, it sets out:

• Air change rates – how many times the air in the room should be replaced each hour.

• Filtration – often including HEPA filters to remove airborne particles.

• Airflow direction – ensuring air moves from “clean” to “dirty” zones to reduce contamination risk.

• Temperature and humidity control – for both infection prevention and comfort.

  
  

These requirements apply not just to surgeries but also to Local Decontamination Units (LDUs), sterilisation rooms, and other clinical spaces.

Why Dentists Need to Pay Attention

Failing to meet HTM 03-01 standards can:

• Cause problems during CQC or NHS inspections.

• Increase infection risk for patients and staff.

• Lead to costly remedial works if deficiencies are found.

  
  

For most practices, the main challenge is that standard air conditioning units don’t meet the requirements — they usually recirculate air rather than providing the necessary fresh air exchange.

Common Compliance Mistakes

1. Relying on standard AC instead of dental-specific ventilation.

2. Not validating systems regularly. Annual checks and filter changes are essential.

3. Overlooking non-surgery areas like decontamination rooms or recovery spaces.

   
   
   
   

Upgrading to Meet HTM 03-01

The first step is an assessment from a contractor who specialises in dental practices. A proper survey will check airflow rates, filtration systems, and the condition of your existing units.

If an upgrade is needed, a compliant installation will:

• Meet or exceed the required air changes per hour.

• Use the right filtration for dental AGPs.

• Be positioned to keep workflow efficient and compliant.

How One Call Dental Can Help

Because we specialise exclusively in dental contracting, we understand HTM 03-01 inside out. Our team:

• Designs and installs dental-specific ventilation and air conditioning.

• Works to minimise downtime by offering out-of-hours installation.

• Provides Gold, Silver, and Bronze maintenance packages so you stay compliant year-round.

Final Thoughts

Ventilation might not be the first thing patients notice, but inspectors will — and so will your team if it’s not working properly. By making sure your surgery meets HTM 03-01, you’ll protect patients, pass inspections, and create a comfortable working environment.

If you’re unsure about your current setup, book a free consultation with One Call Dental and we’ll guide you through what’s needed for full compliance.