Spatter, aerosols and droplets
Many dental procedures are known to generate aerosols and spatter. Aerosols, in particular, are generated during use of ultrasonic scalers, high-speed handpieces and three-in-one air/water syringes. Heavier spatter particles settle quickly near the generation site, while smaller aerosolized particles remain airborne for extended periods of time (up to several hours) and travel further.
Measuring 50 micrometers (microns) or less in size, dental aerosols contain microorganisms present in saliva and the oral cavity. In addition to common oral bacteria, these aerosols may contain other microorganisms including:
SARS-Cov-19.
Legionella pneumophilia, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease.
The herpes simplex virus.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
The influenza virus
Rhinovirus
Aerosols are a potential mode of transmission for microorganisms in the dental operatory, and remain in the air long enough to be present when team members and other patients are potentially present. During the COVID-19 pandemic the dental operatory is considered a high-risk environment due to SARS-CoV-2.
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