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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Published on: October 20, 2011

Dental aerosols: microbial composition and spatial distribution.

C Zemouri¹, C M C Volgenant¹, M J Buijs¹

¹Department of Preventive Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Oral Microbiology

|June 16, 2020

Summary

Dental aerosols can carry microbes, but contamination levels are generally low. High microbial loads were found near patients, emphasizing targeted infection control for dental water lines and surfaces.

Keywords:

Dentistry bio-aerosol dental clinic infection control microbiology

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Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

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Published on: October 20, 2011

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Published on: December 31, 2017

Composition and Distribution Analysis of Bioaerosols Under Different Environmental Conditions

Composition and Distribution Analysis of Bioaerosols Under Different Environmental Conditions

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Environmental Health
Dental Public Health

Background:

High-speed dental instruments generate aerosols, posing a risk for pathogenic microorganism transmission.
Understanding aerosol microbial load, composition, and distribution is crucial for infection control in dental settings.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify the microbial load in dental aerosols.
To identify the composition and spatial distribution of microorganisms within dental aerosols.

Main Methods:

Utilized active and passive sampling techniques across four dental clinics.
Collected samples before, during, and after dental treatments at various locations.
Sequenced colony forming units (CFU) to determine microbial taxa.

Main Results:

Observed up to 655 CFU/plate/30 minutes (active) and 418 CFU/m3/30 minutes (passive) during procedures.
Aerosol contamination levels at 1.5m from the patient returned to baseline post-treatment.
Highest microbial contamination concentrated within 80cm of the patient's head, originating from human and water sources.

Conclusions:

Dental clinic aerosol contamination is generally low but significant around the patient's head.
Highlights the critical need for stringent infection control for surfaces near the patient and within dental water systems.