Do Dental Aerosols Matter?

Summary: The study found that the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 in dental settings was very low for both patients and dental staff members. This suggests that routine dental care could be safely provided during the pandemic, with continuous monitoring advised due to the emergence of new variants and vaccination programs.

Summary: Limiting the transmission of infections, particularly during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, is crucial in dentistry. Aerosol-generating procedures are important in dental practice, and understanding the risks of viral dispersion associated with these procedures is essential. The use of high-speed contra-angle handpieces can significantly reduce the risk of viral aerosolization in dental procedures, especially when combined with high-volume aspiration. This study is the first to report the aerosolization of active virus as a marker for risk assessment in a dental clinic.