JDSE
Journal of Dental Sciences and Education

The Journal of Dental Sciences and Education deals with General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Orthodontics, Oral diagnosis and DentomaxilloFacial Radiology, Endodontics, Prosthetic Dentistry, Periodontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Implantology, Dental Education and other dentistry fields and accepts articles on these topics. Journal of Dental Science and Education publishes original research articles, review articles, case reports, editorial commentaries, letters to the editor, educational articles, and conference/meeting announcements.

eISSN: 2980-1389
Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International License.
EndNote Style

Online Manuscript System

Index
Original Article
Identification of bioaerosol composition in preclinical dental laboratories using MALDI-TOF MS
Abstract
Aims: The grinding and polishing procedures carried out during dental training result in the release of high levels of particulate matter and microorganisms into the environment. This study aimed to assess the microbial air quality in the preclinical laboratory environment and to identify the predominant species using MALDI-TOF MS.
Methods: Sampling was performed before and during the preclinical session using the passive deposition method. The isolated microorganisms were identified using MALDI-TOF MS.
Results: The total microbial load was 22.67±1.15 CFU/plate prior to the preclinical session, whereas during the session it rose to 169.00±13.86 CFU/plate, representing an approximately 7.5-fold increase. During the study, fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus spp. and Candida tropicalis, as well as Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species, were found to be predominant.
Conclusion: Laboratory activities increase the microbial load by approximately 7.5-fold. This highlights the importance of adequate ventilation and the use of personal protective equipment.

Keywords : Bioaerosol, air pollution, preclinical training, MALDI-TOF MS

Download Article
Ethical Statement

This study did not require ethical approval as it did not involve any human subjects or animal experiments.

Informed Consent

Since the study was conducted without the participation of any living being, no written consent form was obtained.

Author Contributions

Concept: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Design: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Control: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Resources: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Materials: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Data Collection and/or Processing: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Analysis and/or Interpretation: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Literature Review: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Writing the Article: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP; Critical Review: YD, İÖ, NA, ZSP.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this study.

Financial Disclosure

This study was supported by Dicle University Scientific Researches Projects Coordination Unit (DUBAP) under project number DIS.22.005.


1. Ghosh B, Lal H, Srivastava A. Review of bioaerosols in indoor environment with special reference to sampling, analysis and control mechanisms. Environ Int Dec. 2015;85:254-272. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.018
2. Hallier C, Williams DW, Potts AJC, Lewis MAO. A pilot study of bioaerosol reduction using an air cleaning system during dental procedures. Br Dent J. 2010;209(8):E14-E14. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.975
3. Pasquarella C, Pitzurra O, Savino A. The index of microbial air contamination. J Hosp Infect. 2000;46(4):241-256. doi:10.1053/jhin.2000.0820
4. Bright JJ, Claydon MA, Soufian M, Gordon DB. Rapid typing of bacteria using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry and pattern recognition software. J Microbiol Methods. 2002;48(2-3):127-138. doi:10.1016/S0167-7012(01)00317-7
5. Biswas S, Rolain JM. Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for identification of bacteria that are difficult to culture. J Microbiol Methods. 2013;92(1):14-24. doi:10.1016/j.mimet.2012.10.014
6. Harrel SK, Molinari J. Aerosols and splatter in dentistry. J Am Dent Assoc. 2004;135(4):429-437. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2004.0207
7. Szymanska J. Dental bioaerosol as an occupational hazard in a dentist’s workplace. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2007;14(2):203-207.
8. Hoshyari N, Allahgholipour Z, Ahanjan M, Moosazadeh M, Zamanzadeh M. Evaluation of bacterial contamination in clinical environment of Sari Dental School in 2018. J Res Dent Maxillofac Sci. 2019;4(2):19-25. doi:10.29252/jrdms.4.2.19
9. Szymanska J. Exposure to airborne fungi during conservative dental treatment. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2006;13(1):177-179.
10. Uhrbrand K, Schultz AC, Koivisto AJ, Nielsen U, Madsen AM. Assessment of airborne bacteria and noroviruses in air emission from a new highly-advanced hospital wastewater treatment plant. Water Res. 2017;112:110-119. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2017.01.046
11. Rafiee A, Carvalho R, Lunardon D, et al. Particle size, mass concentration, and microbiota in dental aerosols. J Dent Res. 2022;101(7):785-792. doi:10.1177/00220345221087880
12. Graetz C, Sayk N, Düffert P, Heidenreich R, Dörfer CE, Cyris M. Air quality in a dental skills lab during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: results of an experimental study. Int J Dent. 2022;2022:9973623. doi:10.1155/2022/9973623
13. Saini RS, Binduhayyim RIH, Mosaddad SA, Heboyan A. Strategies for preventing aerosol-generated microbial contamination in dental procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Infect Control. 2025;53(5):638-647. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2025.02.001
Article available in :
Volume 4, Issue 4, 2026
Page : 146-149
https://doi.org/10.51271/JDSE-0090
Article Information
Received : 30 Haz 2026
Accepted : 25 Eyl 2026
Published : 28 Eki 2026
Corresponding Author :

İrem Özdil: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentisry, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Değer Y, Özdil İ, Akpolat N, Seyfioğlu Polat Z. Identification of bioaerosol composition in preclinical dental laboratories using MALDI-TOF MS. J Dent Sci Educ. 2026;4(4):146-149. doi:10.51271/JDSE-0090

Read: -5
Download : 10
Cited: 0
_Footer