Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of microbial aerosols in different indoor environments of a dental school clinic

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Aerobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the indoor environment of dental clinics, dental staff and patients are exposed to various types of infectious agents transported by aerosols and particles, generated during dental procedures, promoting an increased risk of cross-infection. The aim of this study was to determine the levels and diversity of microbial aerosol in relation to particle load in five different departments of a dental school clinic. The air samples were collected by an active single-stage Andersen sampler during the treatment procedure. The mean concentrations of airborne bacteria were in the range of 52–1030 and 8–844 CFU/m3 at the distances of 0.5 and 2 m, respectively. Bacterial aerosols in pediatric, endodontics, and restorative wards and fungal aerosols in all the sampling wards were significantly higher at the distances of 0.5 m. The dominant bacteria and fungi were identified as Micrococcus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and Alternaria. The positive associations were also obtained between bacteria and fungi levels and particulate matter (PM) concentrations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig.1
Fig. 2
Fig.3
Fig.4

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Adhikari, A., Kurella, S., Banerjee, P., & Mitra, A. (2017). Aerosolized bacteria and microbial activity in dental clinics during cleaning procedures. Journal of Aerosol Science, 114, 209–218.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiramana, S., Bindu, O. S. H., Kadiyala, K. K., Prakash, M., Prasad, T. D., & Chaitanya, S. K. (2013). Evaluation of minimum required safe distance between two consecutive dental chairs for optimal asepsis. Journal of Orofacial Research, 3(1), 12–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, J.-O., Choi, Y.-J., & Nam, S.-H. (2018). Study on the prevention of cross-infection by aerosols during scaling. Biomedical Research, 29(18), 3479–3482.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chuang, C.-Y., Cheng, H.-C., Yang, S., Fang, W., Hung, P.-C., & Chuang, S.-Y. (2014). Investigation of the spreading characteristics of bacterial aerosol contamination during dental scaling treatment. Journal of Dental Sciences, 9(3), 294–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, M., Soro, V., Dymock, D., Price, R., Griffiths, H., Dudding, T., et al. (2016). Microbiological assessment of aerosol generated during debond of fixed orthodontic appliances. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 150(5), 831–838.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmis, C. G., Tzoutzas, J., Flocas, H. A., Halios, C. H., Assimakopoulos, V. D., Stathopoulou, O. I., et al. (2008). Emissions of total volatile organic compounds and indoor environment assessment in dental clinics in Athens Greece. International dental journal, 58(5), 269–278.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hong, Y.-J., Huang, Y.-C., Lee, I.-L., Chiang, C.-M., Lin, C., & Jeng, H. A. (2015). Assessment of volatile organic compounds and particulate matter in a dental clinic and health risks to clinic personnel. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 50(12), 1205–1214.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hospodsky, D., Yamamoto, N., Nazaroff, W. W., Miller, D., Gorthala, S., & Peccia, J. (2015). Characterizing airborne fungal and bacterial concentrations and emission rates in six occupied children’s classrooms. Indoor Air, 25(6), 641–652.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, H.-L., Lee, M.-K., & Shih, H.-W. (2018). Assessment of indoor bioaerosols in public spaces by real-time measured airborne particles. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 17(9), 2276–2288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jimson, S., Kannan, I., Jimson, S., Parthiban, J., & Jayalakshmi, M. (2015). Evaluation of airborne bacterial contamination during procedures in oral surgery clinic. Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal, 8, 669–675.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kadaifciler, D. G., & Cotuk, A. (2014). Microbial contamination of dental unit waterlines and effect on quality of indoor air. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 186(6), 3431–3444.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kimmerle, H., Wiedmann-Al-Ahmad, M., Pelz, K., Wittmer, A., Hellwig, E., & Al-Ahmad, A. (2012). Airborne microbes in different dental environments in comparison to a public area. Archives of oral biology, 57(6), 689–696.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kobza, J., Pastuszka, J. S., & Brągoszewska, E. (2018). Do exposures to aerosols pose a risk to dental professionals? Occupational Medicine., 68(7), 454–458.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, M.-H., Tung, T.-H., Chung, F.-F., Chuang, L.-C., & Wan, G.-H. (2017). High total volatile organic compounds pollution in a hospital dental department. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 189(11), 571.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z., Li, A., Hu, Z., & Sun, H. (2014). Study on the potential relationships between indoor culturable fungi, particle load and children respiratory health in Xi’an, China. Building and Environment, 80, 105–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madureira, J., Paciência, I., Rufo, J. C., Pereira, C., Teixeira, J. P., & de Oliveira Fernandes, E. (2015). Assessment and determinants of airborne bacterial and fungal concentrations in different indoor environments: Homes, child day-care centres, primary schools and elderly care centres. Atmospheric Environment, 109, 139–146.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manarte-Monteiro, P., Carvalho, A., Pina, C., Oliveira, H., & Manso, M. C. (2013). Air quality assessment during dental practice: Aerosols bacterial counts in an universitary clinic. Revista Portuguesa de Estomatologia, Medicina Dentária e Cirurgia Maxilofacial, 54(1), 2–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirhoseini, S. H., Didehdar, M., Akbari, M., Moradzadeh, R., Jamshidi, R., & Torabi, S. (2020). Indoor exposure to airborne bacteria and fungi in sensitive wards of an academic pediatric hospital. Aerobiologia, 36(2), 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirhoseini, S. H., Nikaeen, M., Shamsizadeh, Z., & Khanahmad, H. (2016). Hospital air: A potential route for transmission of infections caused by β-lactam–resistant bacteria. American journal of infection control, 44(8), 898–904.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nejatidanesh, F., Khosravi, Z., Goroohi, H., Badrian, H., & Savabi, O. (2013). Risk of contamination of different areas of dentist’s face during dental practices. International journal of preventive medicine, 4(5), 611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, A. M. A. V., de Alencar, R. M., Porto, J. C. S., Ramos, I. R. B. F., Noleto, I. S., Santos, T. C., & Mobin, M. (2018). Analysis of fungi in aerosols dispersed by high speed pens in dental clinics from Teresina, Piaui. Brazil. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 190(2), 56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rautemaa, R., Nordberg, A., Wuolijoki-Saaristo, K., & Meurman, J. H. (2006). Bacterial aerosols in dental practice–a potential hospital infection problem? Journal of hospital infection, 64(1), 76–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sawhney, A., Venugopal, S., Babu, G. R., Garg, A., Mathew, M., Yadav, M., et al. (2015). Aerosols how dangerous they are in clinical practice. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR, 9(4), ZC52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmalz, G., Hickel, R., van Landuyt, K. L., & Reichl, F.-X. (2018). Scientific update on nanoparticles in dentistry. International dental journal, 68(5), 299–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sotiriou, M., Ferguson, S. F., Davey, M., Wolfson, J. M., Demokritou, P., Lawrence, J., et al. (2008). Measurement of particle concentrations in a dental office. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 137(1–3), 351.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szymańska, J. (2006). Exposure to airborne fungi during conservative dental treatment. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 13(1), 177–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szymanska, J. (2007). Dental bioaerosol as an occupational hazard in a dentist’s workplace. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 14(2).

  • Timmerman, M. F., Menso, L., Steinfort, J., Van Winkelhoff, A. J., & Van Der Weijden, G. A. (2004). Atmospheric contamination during ultrasonic scaling. Journal of clinical periodontology, 31(6), 458–462.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zemouri, C., de Soet, H., Crielaard, W., & Laheij, A. (2017). A scoping review on bio-aerosols in healthcare and the dental environment. PLoS ONE, 12(5), e0178007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This research was funded by Arak University of Medical Sciences (Grant No. 3341). The authors wish to extend their thanks to dentists and staff of the Faculty of Dentistry, Arak University of Medical Sciences.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Golestan Ave, Ghods St, Arak, Iran

    Seyed Hamed Mirhoseini & Ali Koolivand

  2. Department of Periodontics Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

    Mojtaba Bayani & Hamid Sarlak

  3. Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

    Rahmatollah Moradzadeh

  4. Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

    Farhad Ghamari

  5. Student Research Committee, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

    Adel Sheykhan

Authors
  1. Seyed Hamed Mirhoseini
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ali Koolivand
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mojtaba Bayani
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hamid Sarlak
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Rahmatollah Moradzadeh
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Farhad Ghamari
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Adel Sheykhan
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Seyed Hamed Mirhoseini.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mirhoseini, S.H., Koolivand, A., Bayani, M. et al. Quantitative and qualitative assessment of microbial aerosols in different indoor environments of a dental school clinic. Aerobiologia 37, 217–224 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-020-09679-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-020-09679-z

Keywords

Profiles

  1. Mojtaba Bayani View author profile