Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41191935›Full record

ArticleAnnals of work exposures and health2026

Characterization of occupational exposure to airborne particles and bioaerosols in dental clinics.

Rubiyat E Islam, Lina Wik, Vibeke E Ansteinsson, Pål Graff, Shan Zienolddiny-Narui, Torunn K Ervik

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of work exposures and health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Rubiyat E IslamNational Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway.
Lina WikNational Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway.ORCID 0000-0001-8406-1828
Vibeke E AnsteinssonDepartment of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Forskningsveien 3A, 0373 Oslo, Norway.
Pål GraffNational Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway.ORCID 0000-0003-4928-617X
Shan Zienolddiny-NaruiNational Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway.
Torunn K ErvikNational Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway.ORCID 0000-0002-9405-4346

Funding

National Institute of Occupational HealthOral Health Center of Expertise in Eastern Norway
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Occupational exposure to airborne particles and bioaerosols in dental clinics is a potential hazard to dental health workers. Current studies on airborne particles and bioaerosols in dental clinics are limited and methodologically diverse, leaving gaps in the understanding of airborne particles in real-life dental settings. The aim of the study was to investigate the size, concentration, and composition of particles produced during dental procedures, and determine the exposure levels of dental personnel to respirable particles and bioaerosols in dental clinical environments with different characteristics. The study included two conventional dentist offices and one specialty clinic. The number concentration and size distribution of particles released during different dental procedures were monitored in real-time in dental procedure rooms. Personal samplers were used in parallel to collect the respirable and inhalable particle fractions. Total bacterial and total fungal DNA concentrations were quantified in the inhalable particle fraction by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. Particle morphology and chemical composition were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The highest geometric mean value of the respirable particle mass concentration (0.06 mg/m3) was below the Norwegian occupational exposure limit for respirable dust of 5 mg/m3. Real-time sampling indicated that particle number concentrations were elevated during working hours in two clinics, with peak levels observed in one clinic coinciding with air polishing activities. The results also showed significant variations in bacterial and fungal DNA concentration levels (P < 0.0001). Many collected particles originated from powders used in dental treatments. Despite low respirable particle mass concentrations, increased levels of ultrafine particles during dental procedures highlight potential health risks to dental professionals. These findings also underscore the importance of advanced ventilation and safety measures to mitigate occupational exposure in dental environments.

Indexed as

Air Pollutants, OccupationalDental ClinicsInhalation ExposureOccupational ExposureParticulate MatterRespiratory Aerosols and DropletsAerosolsAir MicrobiologyDustEnvironmental MonitoringHumansParticle SizeAerosolsAir Pollutants, OccupationalDustParticulate Matteraerosolbacteriadental environmentdental treatmentfungimicroorganismsrespirable particleswork exposure

Identifiers

PMID41191935
PMCPMC12821372

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.