title: Bacterial aerosols in the dental clinic: effect of time, position and type of treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to investigate changes in the concentration of total bacterial aerosols before, during, and after the working period at different positions within the same multichair dental clinics. Also to investigate the contribution to total bacterial aerosols, if any, of the aerosols generated from different types of dental procedures, as well as the environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Air sampling using a Slit-to-Agar air sampler at three positions in a multichair dental clinic, performed three times per day over a three week period before work, during work and after work. The second part of the study, in another multichair dental clinic, was performed before working and during three types of dental procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentration of total bacterial aerosols and Bacillus sp. in air which circulated in the dental clinic was lower at the end of the day than at the beginning. There was no significant change in the concentration of total bacterial aerosols in different positions in the dental clinic or after the three types of dental treatments. The concentration of Bacillus sp. in air not mainly generated during dental procedures and which may come from an environmental source, was reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the proportions of different types of bacteria in air may change before, during and after dental treatment. Preventive measures may need to be instituted to reduce build up of bacterial aerosols in the dental clinic during non-working periods.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kedjarune
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kukiattrakoon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yapong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chowanadisai
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leggat
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000389:Air Conditioning; D000391:Air Microbiology; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001407:Bacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003740:Dental Clinics; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D013997:Time Factors; D014691:Ventilation
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols