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. 2022 Dec;29(57):85586-85594.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-15607-6. Epub 2021 Aug 3.

The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in indoor air of dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic

Shahriyar Bazzazpour  1 , Masoumeh Rahmatinia  1 , Seyed Reza Mohebbi  2 , Mostafa Hadei  3 , Abbas Shahsavani  4   5 , Philip K Hopke  6   7 , Behzad Houshmand  8 , Alireza Raeisi  9 , Ahmad Jonidi Jafari  10 , Maryam Yarahmadi  11 , Mohsen Farhadi  11 , Vajihe Hasanzadeh  1 , Majid Kermani  10 , Mohmmad Hossien Vaziri  12 , Mohammad Tanhaei  13 , Mohammad Reza Zali  2 , Mohammad Reza Alipour  1
Affiliations

The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in indoor air of dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic

Shahriyar Bazzazpour et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

In the indoor environment of dental clinics, dental personnel and patients are exposed to a risk of infection because of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via particles or droplets. This study investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in indoor air of dental clinics in Tehran, Iran. Air sampling was done (n = 36) collecting particulate samples on PTFE filters at flow rates of 30 to 58 L/min. The samples were analyzed with novel coronavirus nucleic acid diagnostic real-time PCR kits. Only 13 out of 36 samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Logistic regression showed that sampling site's volume, PM2.5 concentration, number of people, and number of active patient treatment units were significantly positively related with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Thus, strategies to control the spread of COVID-19 should include reducing the number of infected people in dental clinics, adding filtration systems, and/or improving ventilation conditions.

Keywords: Airborne transmission; COVID-19; Dental clinics; Indoor air; PM2.5; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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