title: Evaluating spatter and aerosol contamination during dental procedures.
abstract: A pilot study evaluated the distribution of spatter and aerosols generated by high-speed instrumentation. In the first phase, fluorescent dye was added to the handpiece water supply. In the second, blood agar culture plates were placed in the operatory. Results show that contamination from spatter and aerosol dissemination remains a significant hazard for dental personnel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7450.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Burkhart
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000391:Air Microbiology; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003755:Dental High-Speed Technique; D003815:Dentists; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes