Bioaerosols and Airborne Transmission in the Dental Clinic

Overview

Journal Int Dent J

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Dentistry

Date 2024 Nov 8

PMID 39515929

Authors

James R Allison

Stefanie Tiede

Richard Holliday

Justin Durham

Nicholas S Jakubovics

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The importance of aerosols (particles suspended in air) produced during dental procedures became more apparent than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns over transmission of infection in these aerosols led to unprecedented disruption to dental services across the world, adversely impacting patients' oral health. This article discusses the evidence related to airborne transmission of infectious diseases and the relevance to dentistry. The production of bioaerosols (aerosols carrying biological material) during dental procedures is explored, as well as how the potential risks posed by these bioaerosols can be controlled. A better understanding of dental bioaerosols is needed to prevent similar disruption to dental services in future outbreaks, and to reduce the risk of infection of dental professionals when treating patients with active infections who require urgent or emergency dental care.

Citing Articles

Infection Control in Dentistry in the Post-COVID Era: A Timely Update.

Samaranayake L Int Dent J. 2024; 74 Suppl 2:S416-S417.

PMID: 39515928 PMC: 11583851. DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.07.1215.

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