These results show that a dental procedure is
a potential hospital infection risk if the extent and
nature of microbial aerosols created by high-speed
rotating instruments is underestimated. The study
showed significant contamination of the room at
all distances sampled when high-speed instruments
were used (mean 1119 CFU/m2/h at >1.5 m
from the patient). Contamination was less intense
during periodontal and orthodontic treatment
(598 CFU/m2/h at >1.5 m from the patient) where
high-speed rotating and ultrasonic instruments
were not used, and was practically non-existent
in rooms at rest.