Studies on Dental Aerobiology: I. Bacterial Aerosols Generated during Dental Procedures

Abstract

A controlled environment operatory and specially designed human aerosol test chamber were used to study characteristics of bacterial aerosols generated from a patient's mouth during dental procedures and by common naso-oral activities. Some dental procedures generated aerosols with bacterial concentrations that exceeded those produced during coughing or sneezing and that were considered potential health hazards.