AIRBORNE AND DROPLET INFECTIONS IN DENTISTRY
Abstract
Background. In dental care institutions, patients as well as dentistry workers themselves are at risk of being exposed to various bacteria while on the other hand they both represent a source of such microorganisms.
Apart from the infected patients and dental care personnel, modern apparatures used in dentistry along with inadequate and poorly maintained air conditioning appliances are the most significant agents of airborne and droplet infection spread.
The paper presents recommendations on permitted degrees of airborne pollution in dental and health care institutions and reasons for the occurrence of airborne infections. In additon, the authors list the most frequent microorganisms spread by airborne and droplet pathways, and suggest protective measures that can effectively prevent exposure to infectious aerosols and droplets.
Despite the plentiful evidence on the exposure of dental care workers and their patients to airborne infections, relatively scarce reports in the literature published so far have not allowed statistically significant conclusions on the morbidity due to airborne and droplet infections in dentistry.
Conclusions. The paper calls attention to the importance of strict implementation of comprehensive hygienic measures that can prevent a great majority of airborne infections. However, this can only be achieved through a high professional motivation, permanent education in the field of nosocomial infection prevention and employment of hygienists in dentistry.
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