Characterization of point-source aerosol and airborne particle generation, dispersal, and decay in confined spaces

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many dental offices were asked to shut down due to a perceived elevated risk of virus transmission owing to the nature of dental procedures that produce a high number of aerosolized particles ejected from the oral cavity. In this study we quantify the aerosol and airborne particle distribution in a typical dental clinic setting as a result of common dental procedures. Spatio-temporal particle concentration maps were derived from an array of approximately 40 particle sensors distributed around a dental practitioner and their assistant as well as in critical locations throughout the clinic during common dental procedures on a patient simulator. Various clinical setting scenarios were implemented; including those recommended by the Center for Disease Control; and their efficacy at reducing micron sized aerosolized particles was determined by characterizing the rates of aerosol and airborne particle generation and decay. As this study focuses on the aerosolized and airborne particles, these results can be extended to non-clinical scenarios concerning the spreading of airborne particles form a localized source in confined spaces.