Background: Infectious diseases physicians are leaders in assessing the health risks in a variety of community settings. An understudied area with substantial controversy is the safety of dental aerosols. Previous studies have used in vitro experimental designs and/or indirect measures to evaluate bacteria and viruses from dental surfaces. However, these findings may overestimate the occupational risks of dental aerosols. The purpose of this study was to directly measure dental aerosol composition to assess the health risks for dental healthcare personnel and patients.
Methods: We used a variety of aerosol instruments to capture and measure the bacterial, viral, and inorganic composition of aerosols during a variety of common dental procedures and in a variety of dental office layouts. Equipment was placed in close proximity to dentists during each procedure to best approximate the health risk hazards from the perspective of dental healthcare personnel. Devices used to capture aerosols were set at physiologic respiration rates. Oral suction devices were per the discretion of the dentist.
Results: We detected very few bacteria and no viruses in dental aerosols-regardless of office layout. The bacteria identified were most consistent with either environmental or oral microbiota, suggesting a low risk of transmission of viable pathogens from patients to dental healthcare personnel. When analyzing restorative procedures involving amalgam removal, we detected inorganic elements consistent with amalgam fillings.
Conclusions: Aerosols generating from dental procedures pose a low health risk for bacterial and likely viral pathogens when common aerosol mitigation interventions, such as suction devices, are employed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofac617 | DOI Listing |
Restor Dent Endod
January 2025
Faculty of Dental Surgery, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
The present case report describes the endodontic treatment of a type III B dens invaginatus (DI) in a three-rooted mandibular second molar since the invagination invades the root and extends apically. Clinical and cone-beam computed tomography examination of the mandibular second molar showed a broadened coronal morphology, DI, a third root, periapical radiolucency, and compression of a distal root canal by the invagination, which developed an atypical semilunar shape. The tooth was diagnosed with pulpal necrosis, symptomatic apical, and peri-invagination periodontitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRestor Dent Endod
January 2025
School of Dentistry, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Objectives: This study evaluated the number and quality of working length (WL) and master cone (MC) radiographs taken during root canal treatment by dental undergraduates, and their associations with the technical quality of root canal fillings (TQRCF) and endodontic outcomes (EO).
Methods: A retrospective evaluation of radiographs from 303 root canal-treated teeth in 231 patients was conducted, with 72 patients attending recall visits to assess EO. The chi-square and one-way analysis of variance tests were performed.
Vaccines (Basel)
December 2024
Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea.
Following the publication of paper [...
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccines (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Dental University, 8-1 Kuzuhahanazonocho, Hirakata 573-1121, Osaka, Japan.
This report examines the evolving role of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in Japan, especially in light of the reduced public concern following the reclassification of COVID-19 as a Category 5 infectious disease in May 2023. With over half the population estimated to have hybrid immunity from prior infections and vaccinations, this report evaluated the necessity and frequency of additional booster doses. Despite strong recommendations from Japanese medical societies to continue vaccination, public skepticism remains owing to financial burdens, adverse reactions, and the perceived limited benefits of frequent boosters.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccines (Basel)
November 2024
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Knoxville, TN 37920, USA.
Background/objectives: There is potential utility and increasing interest in engaging professionals in non-traditional vaccination settings to participate in efforts to reduce human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer. This study assessed the impact of a multi-disciplinary HPV educational intervention on oral health care professionals' perceived role, comfort level, and scope of practice in HPV-related cancer prevention efforts.
Methods: The virtual educational intervention was provided by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts.
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