Dentistry setting and related environment: a preliminary study

A study was undertaken at the biggest dental hospital in Italy, the "George Eastman Dental Hospital", in order to assess the dentistry environment as it stands with current equipment and dental practice in use. In order to gain information on the possible presence of chemical pollutants from dentistry activity, a simultaneous consecutive 7-day sampling of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the dental chair (dentistry indoor) and at the related vicinity outdoor window (dentistry outdoor) was performed. Volatile organic compounds were identified; cyclohexane, benzene, n-eptane, methylcyclohexane, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, trimethylbenzene and methylhexane were quantitatively determined. As a preliminary result, the dentistry indoor (I(D)) and outdoor (O(D)) volatile organic compounds concentrations ratios are always higher than 1 (I(D)/O(D) > 1), pointing to higher VOCs concentrations in dentistry indoor than in outdoor. It should be noted homes indoor/outdoor concentrations ratios (I(D)/O(H) > 1) are usually higher than 1 as well. For an in-depth study, aimed at assessing the level of VOCs in dentistry setting, instantaneous, hourly, daily, and weekly samplings and a greater number of samples are needed.