In Situ Measurement of Airborne Particle Concentration in a Real Dental Office: Implications for Disease Transmission

Abstract

Aerosols generated during dental procedures are one of the most significant routes for infection transmission and are particularly relevant now in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the mechanisms of dental aerosol dispersion in dental offices and provide recommendations to minimize infection transmission in dental offices. The spread and removal of aerosol particles generated from a specific dental operation in a dental office are quantified for a single dental activity in the area near to the generation and corner of the office. The effects of the air purifier, door condition, and particle sizes on the spread and removal of particles were investigated. The results will help to develop technologies for the proper control of aerosols and splatters generated during the dental procedures. The results show that in the worst-case scenario it takes 95 min for 0.5 𝜇m particles to settle and that it takes a shorter time for the larger particles. The air purifier expedited the removal time at least 6.3 times faster than the case with no air purifier in the generation zone. Our results also indicate that particles may be transported from the source to the rest of the room, even when the particle concentrations in the generation zone dropped back to the background. Our findings have important implications for infection transmission in indoor spaces such as healthcare settings.