Overview of Infectious Diseases of Concern to Dental Practitioners: Airborne Pathogens

Infectious droplets laden with respiratory pathogens are generated from oral, nasal, or respiratory secretions or from infected persons during coughing and sneezing or by other aerosols generated during medical and dental procedures. While most organisms cannot survive in these droplets, some microorganisms can withstand drying and evaporation and still remain infectious. These organisms can remain suspended in the air (airborne) for long periods of time, and the infectious particles can be widely dispersed by air currents. Consequently, the aerosolized particles can be inhaled by a susceptible person resulting in infection. This phenomenon is referred to as airborne transmission. As these aerosolized particles are very small, they easily enter the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The most transmissible diseases are spread by airborne transmission. Dental practitioners should be knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms and management of disease(s) transmitted by the airborne route.