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Annals of work exposures and health2025; 69(7); 752-764; doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxaf033

Analysis of dental dust and aerosol emissions during odontoplasty: assessing potential respiratory health risks.

Abstract: Equine dental disorders, such as sharp enamel points and focal overgrowths, are common in horses and are often treated with motorized dental grinding tools. These tools, while effective, produce dust and aerosols that may pose health risks to veterinarians and nearby individuals. This study aimed to assess the health risks associated with dental dust and aerosols generated during equine odontoplasty. Using a realistic setup, air concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust, crystalline silica, and airborne microorganisms and endotoxins were measured in 12 groups of horses undergoing odontoplasty with and without water-cooling. Results indicated that dust emission significantly increases during odontoplasty, but the concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust remained below occupational exposure limits. However, airborne microorganisms, including potential pathogenic fungal species and bacteria such as the methicillin-resistant bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, were detected as well as elevated endotoxin levels, suggesting an occupational health risk. Therefore, protective measures, such as wearing FFP3 masks, gloves, and glasses, are recommended during equine odontoplasty.
© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-01 PubMed ID: 40583264PubMed Central: PMC12313454DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaf033Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study evaluates the potential health risks associated with dust and aerosols produced during equine dental procedures. While the findings indicate that dust production increases during these operations, the study suggests that the potential for exposure to airborne microorganisms and endotoxins may pose a larger health risk to the professionals involved.

Context and Objective

  • The research was carried out in the context of common equine dental disorders such as sharp enamel points and focal overgrowths often necessitating treatment with motorized dental grinding tools.
  • These tools generate dust and aerosols that can be harmful to veterinarians and others nearby. The study sought to assess these potential health risks.

Methodology

  • The researchers measured air concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust, crystalline silica, and airborne microorganisms and endotoxins.
  • To reflect real-world conditions as closely as possible, they conducted the measurements during actual equine odontoplasty procedures.
  • These were performed on 12 groups of horses, and the assessments were made both with and without the use of water-cooling.

Findings

  • A significant increase in dust emissions was observed during odontoplasty.
  • However, the concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust were measured to be below occupational exposure limits, suggesting this factor alone might not constitute a significant health risk.
  • The study did however highlight the presence of airborne microorganisms such as potentially pathogenic fungal species and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, alongside elevated endotoxin levels.
  • This points to an occupational health risk that extends beyond dust particles, arising from exposure to harmful microorganisms and endotoxins.

Recommendations

  • As a result of the study’s findings, protective measures are recommended for professionals during equine odontoplasty.
  • These include the wearing of FFP3 masks, gloves, and glasses to minimize the risk of exposure to harmful dust and airborne pathogens.

Cite This Article

APA
Clarysse M, Bertier P, Verpaele S, Madsen AM, Vlaminck L. (2025). Analysis of dental dust and aerosol emissions during odontoplasty: assessing potential respiratory health risks. Ann Work Expo Health, 69(7), 752-764. https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxaf033

Publication

Annals of work exposures and health
ISSN: 2398-7316
NlmUniqueID: 101698454
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 69
Issue: 7
Pages: 752-764

Researcher Affiliations

Clarysse, Michèle
  • Department of Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics of Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Gent, Belgium.
Bertier, Pieter
  • Belgian Center for Occupational Hygiene (BeCOH), Brusselsesteenweg 46, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Verpaele, Steven
  • Belgian Center for Occupational Hygiene (BeCOH), Brusselsesteenweg 46, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Madsen, Anne Mette
  • The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Vlaminck, Lieven
  • Department of Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics of Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Gent, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Dust / analysis
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Aerosols / analysis
  • Endotoxins / analysis
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis
  • Inhalation Exposure / analysis
  • Humans
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Silicon Dioxide / analysis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Air Microbiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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