Risk of aerosol contamination around the dental chair

Aerosols are particles suspended in a gas. In a dental surgery setting this will be droplets of water possibly contaminated with oral bacteria or tissue particles suspended in the air.

The use of high-speed rotary turbines and ultrasonic scalers for dental procedures, which can potentially transmit harmful pathogens, has increased the risks of aerosol contamination around the dental chair.

Aerosol is created when high-powered devices need compressed air and water to work effectively. The water sprays act as a coolant to stop teeth becoming damaged as the turbine cuts through dental enamel or fillings.

The water spray itself is harmless but when mixed with a patient’s bodily fluid can potentially cause a health risk to staff and other patients. The spray is visible and lingers in the air for a short time before it settles onto work surfaces, dental chairs, floors and other people in the vicinity of the dental chair. One of the major sources of potential aerosol contamination in the dental setting is the ultrasonic scaler.