Many dental procedures produce aerosols and droplets which contain saliva and blood. The potential for cross infection has long been known, but the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our understanding (or lack thereof) of the risks posed by dental aerosols into sharp contrast. The resulting uncertainty has had an adverse effect on the provision of dental care across the world and has impacted the oral health of patients as a result. Particular issues include classifying which procedures produce aerosol, assessing the risks of disease transmission for specific infectious agents such as SARS-CoV-2, and determining effective control measures including a safe ‘fallow time’ between patients. Additional challenges are posed by the lack of uniformity of dental clinic design, and the need to use open plan multi-chair clinics in certain situations such as training dental students.

This symposium will present recent primary research into dental aerosols, from researchers who have applied methodologies including microbiological analysis, tracer dye studies, and real-time measurement to the field. The symposium will conclude with an overview of the current evidence-base by researchers involved in evidence-synthesis. A discussion will focus on current evidence gaps and identifying the direction of future research.

The symposium includes presentation of research completed by Newcastle University, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), the National Physical Laboratory (UK) and the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme.