Microbial aerosols in general dental practice

Bennett, Allan; Fulford, Martin R.; Walker, J. T.; Bradshaw, D. J.; Martin, Michael V.; Marsh, Phillip

doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4800859

Cited by 132 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Since these droplets can remain airborne for as much as 30 min after the dental procedures, they can easily reach the respiratory system (Logothetis and Martinez-Welles 1995). Water in the largest airborne droplets can evaporate, leaving smaller particles (droplet nuclei) that may carry respiratory bacteria (Bennett et al 2000). Other studies found that the levels of airborne bacterial pollution inside the dental room were elevated much higher than background during the use of dental procedures (Legnani et al 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…A study that examined the production of particles from the dental activities concluded that the use of antiseptic solutions such as the 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate can prevent the formation of viable bacteria aerosol (Logothetis and Martinez-Welles 1995). In another study, occasional (higher than background) concentrations of presumptive oral streptococci were associated with mechanical scaling and cavity preparation (Bennett et al 2000). This paper describes the first systematic measurements of particle number, size, mass concentrations, and elemental composition of the particles in a dental office during dental drilling procedures associated with fillings and crowns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Measurement of particle concentrations in a dental office

Sotiriou

Ferguson

Davey

et al. 2007

Environ Monit Assess

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Particles in a dental office can be generated by a number of instruments, such as air-turbine handpieces, low-speed handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, bicarbonate polishers, polishing cups, as well as drilling and air sprays inside the oral cavity. This study examined the generation of particles during dental drilling and measured particle size, mass, and trace elements. The air sampling techniques included both continuous and integrated methods. The following particle continuous measurements were taken every minute: (1) size-selective particle number concentration (Climet); (2) total particle number concentration (PTRAK), and; (3) particle mass concentration (DustTrak). Integrated particle samples were collected for about 5 h on each of five sampling days, using a PM(2.5) sampler (ChemComb) for elemental/organic carbon analysis, and a PM(10) sampler (Harvard Impactor) for mass and elemental analyses. There was strong evidence that these procedures result in particle concentrations above background. The dental procedures produced number concentrations of relatively small particles (<0.5 microm) that were much higher than concentrations produced for the relatively larger particles (>0.5 microm). Also, these dental procedures caused significant elevation above background of certain trace elements (measured by X-ray fluorescence) but did not cause any elevation of elemental carbon (measured by thermal optical reflectance). Dental drilling procedures aerosolize saliva and products of drilling, producing particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. The potential health impacts of the exposure of dental personnel to such particles need to be evaluated. Increased ventilation and personal breathing protection could be used to minimize harmful effects.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Measurement of particle concentrations in a dental office

Sotiriou

Ferguson

Davey

et al. 2007

Environ Monit Assess

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“…Aerosols in a dental office can be generated by procedures involved with instruments (e.g., low-speed handheld implements, ultrasonic scalers, bicarbonate polishers, and drilling and air sprays inside the oral activity). [10,11] Studies have provided evidence [12,13] that aerosols, consisting of moisture droplets and particulate matter (PM), are associated with mechanical scaling and cavity preparation, particularly the aerosols generated by high-speed dental equipment that were 5 mm or less in diameter. [12] Dental grinding has been reported to yield the highest submicrometer particle concentrations on average 16 times higher than the indoor background.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of volatile organic compounds and particulate matter in a dental clinic and health risks to clinic personnel

Hong

Huang²,

Lee

et al. 2015

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A

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This study was conducted to assess (1) levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) in a dental clinic in southern Taiwan and (2) dental care personnel's health risks associated with due to chronic exposure to VOCs. An automatic, continuous sampling system and a multi-gas monitor were employed to quantify the air pollutants, along with environmental comfort factors, including temperature, CO2, and relative humidity at six sampling sites in the clinic over eight days. Specific VOC compounds were identified and their concentrations were quantified. Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic VOC compounds were assessed based on the US Environmental Protection Agency's Principles of Health Risk Assessment in terms of whether those indoor air pollutants increased health risks for the full-time dental care professionals at the clinic. Increased levels of VOCs were recorded during business hours and exceeded limits recommended by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency. A total of 68 VOC compounds were identified in the study area. Methylene methacrylate (2.8 ppm) and acetone (0.176 ppm) were the only two non-carcinogenic compounds that posed increased risks for human health, yielding hazard indexes of 16.4 and 4.1, respectively. None of the carcinogenic compounds increased cancer risk. All detected PM10 levels ranged from 20 to 150 μg/m(3), which met the Taiwan EPA and international limits. The average PM10 level during business hours was significantly higher than that during non-business hours (P = 0.04). Improved ventilation capacity in the air conditioning system was recommended to reduce VOCs and PM levels.

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“…DUWL output water is also aerosolised by several dynamic dental instruments including conventional and high-speed handpieces and ultrasonic and air scalers and subsequently inhaled by patients and dental staff (Fotos et al ., 1985 ;Reinthaler et al ., 1988 ;Pankhurst and PhilpottHoward, 1993 ;Pankhurst et al ., 1998 ;Bennett et al ., 2000 ;Pankhurst, 2003 ;Wirthlin et al ., 2003 ;Szyma ń ska and Dutkiewicz, 2008 ; Decontamination in hospitals and healthcare Coleman et al ., 2009 ). These bioaerosols can persist in the air in the dental clinic for at least an hour before settling out.…”

Section: Narrow Bore Duwls and Laminar Fl Owmentioning

confidence: 94%