Evaluation of microbial air quality and aerosol distribution in a large dental clinic.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the microbial air quality during dental clinical procedures in a large clinical setting with increasing patient capacity.

METHODS: This was a single-center, observational study design evaluating the microbial air quality and aerosol distribution during normal clinical sessions at 5% (sessions 1 and 2) and at > 50% (session 3) treatment capacity of dental aerosol generating procedures. Sessions 1 and 2 were evaluated on the same day with a 30-minute fallow time between the sessions. Session 3 was evaluated on a separate day. For each session, passive air-sampling technique was performed for three collection periods: baseline, treatment, and post-treatment. Blood agar plates were collected and incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. Colonies were counted using an automatic colony counter. Mean colony forming units (CFU) per plate were converted to CFU/m²/h.

RESULTS: Kruskal Wallis test was performed to compare the mean CFU/m²/h between the clinic sessions. Statistically significant differences were observed between sessions 1 and 2 (P< 0.05), but not between sessions 2 and 3 (P> 0.05). Combining all clinical sessions, the mean CFU/m²/h were 977 (baseline), 873 (treatment), and 1,631 (post-treatment) for the collection periods. A decrease-to-increase CFU/m²/h trend was observed from baseline to treatment, and from treatment to post-treatment that was observed for all clinic sessions and was irrespective to treatment capacity. Higher amounts of CFU/m²/h were found near the air exhaust outlets for all three clinic sessions. Microbial aerosol distribution is most likely due to the positions and power levels of the air inlets and outlets, and to a lesser extent with patient treatment capacity.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental clinics should be designed and optimized to minimize the risk of airborne transmissions. The results of this study emphasize the need to evaluate dental clinic ventilation systems.