FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Ann Work Expo Health / Analysis of dental dust and aerosol emissions during odontop...
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-07-01 PubMed ID: 40583264PubMed Central: PMC12313454DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaf033Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

References

This article includes 46 references
  1. Azoulay E. Diagnosis of severe respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients. Intensive Care Med 46:298–314.
    doi: 10.1007/s00134-019-05906-5pmc: PMC7080052pubmed: 32034433google scholar: lookup
  2. Belgian Federal Public Service Employment. n.d. Chemical, carcinogenic, mutanogenic and reprotoxic agents and endocrine disruptors, Titel 1. Chemical agents – list of occupational exposure limit values. In Labour and Social Dialogue, Codex on Wellbeing at Work, Book VI.
  3. Bennett AM. Microbial aerosols in general dental practice. Br Dent J 189:664–667.
    doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4800859pubmed: 11191178google scholar: lookup
  4. Bescoby SR, Davis SA, Sherriff M, Ireland AJ. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of operator inhaled aerosols during routine motorised equine dental treatment. Equine Vet J 53:1036–1046.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13379pubmed: 33131087google scholar: lookup
  5. Borkent D, Kennedy B. Chapter 8. Equine oral microbiology. In: Easly J, Dixon P, Du Toit N, editors. Equine dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 126–127.
  6. Borm PJA, Fowler P, Kirkland D. An updated review of the genotoxicity of respirable crystalline silica. Part Fibre Toxicol 15:23.
    doi: 10.1186/s12989-018-0259-zpmc: PMC5963024pubmed: 29783987google scholar: lookup
  7. Brigatti MF, Galán E, Theng BKG. Structure and mineralogy of clay minerals. In: Bergaya F, Lagaly G, editors. Developments in clay science. 2nd ed. Elsevier. p. 21–81.
    doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-098258-8.00002-Xgoogle scholar: lookup
  8. Burnett KM. Equine dentistry: safety considerations for practitioner. clinical techniques in equine practice. Clin Tech Equine Pract 4:120–123.
    doi: 10.1053/j.ctep.2005.04.003google scholar: lookup
  9. Camassa LMA. Characterization and toxicity evaluation of air-borne particles released by grinding from two dental resin composites in vitro. Dent Mater 37:1121–1133.
    doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2021.03.011pubmed: 33846018google scholar: lookup
  10. Carmalt JL, Allen AL. Effect of rostrocaudal mobility of the mandible on feed digestibility and fecal particle size in horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc 229:1275–1278.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.229.8.1275pubmed: 17042731google scholar: lookup
  11. Cuny C, Witte W. MRSA in equine hospitals and its significance for infections in humans. Vet Microbiol 200:59–64.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.01.013pubmed: 26869097google scholar: lookup
  12. Dacre KJP, Dacre IT, Dixon PM. Motorised equine dental equipment. Equine Vet Educ 14:263–266.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.2002.tb00185.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  13. Day CJ, Price R, Sandy JR, Ireland AJ. Inhalation of aerosols produced during the removal of fixed orthodontic appliances: a comparison of 4 enamel cleanup methods. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 133:11–17.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2006.01.049pubmed: 18174065google scholar: lookup
  14. Ding J, Li J, Qi J, Fu L. Characterization of dental dust particles and their pathogenicity to respiratory system: a narrative review. Clin Oral Investig 27:1815–1829.
    doi: 10.1007/s00784-023-04910-wpmc: PMC9918839pubmed: 36773127google scholar: lookup
  15. Dixon PM. The gross, histological, and ultrastructural anatomy of equine teeth and their relationship to disease. Proc Am Ass Equine Practnrs 48:421–437.
  16. Dixon PM. Equine dental disease part 3: a long-term study of 400 cases: disorders of wear, traumatic damage and idiopathic fractures, tumours and miscellaneous disorders of the cheek teeth. Equine Vet J 32:9–18.
    doi: 10.2746/042516400777612099pubmed: 10661379google scholar: lookup
  17. Dixon PM, Dacre I. A review of equine dental disorders. Vet J 169:165–187.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.022pubmed: 15727909google scholar: lookup
  18. Durand N, Monger HC, Canti MG, Verrecchia EP. Calcium carbonate features. In: Stoops G, Mercelino V, Mees F, editors. Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and regoliths. 2nd ed. Elsevier. p. 205–258.
    doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63522-8.00009-7google scholar: lookup
  19. . EN 689:2018 + AC:2019 Workplace Exposure - Measurement of Exposure by Inhalation to Chemical Agents - Strategy for Testing Compliance with Occupational Exposure Limit Values. .
  20. . EN 13098:2019, Workplace Exposure - Measurement of Airborne Microorganisms and Microbial Compounds - General Requirements. .
  21. . EN 14031:2021 - Workplace Exposure - Quantitative Measurement of Airborne Endotoxins. .
  22. Gao W. In-depth snapshot of the equine subgingival microbiome. Microb Pathog 94:76–89.
    doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.11.002pubmed: 26550763google scholar: lookup
  23. Health and Safety Executive. EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits. containing the list of workplace exposure limits for use with control of substances hazardous to health regulations 2002 (as Amended). 2002:63.
  24. IARC. Silica, some silicates, coal dust and para-aramid fibrils. International Agency for Research on Cancer .
    pmc: PMC5366849pubmed: 9303953
  25. Iliadi A, Koletsi D, Eliades T, Eliades G. Particulate production and composite dust during routine dental procedures. a systematic review with meta-analyses. Materials 13:2513.
    doi: 10.3390/ma13112513pmc: PMC7321425pubmed: 32486443google scholar: lookup
  26. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 15767:2009, Workplace Atmospheres - Controlling and Characterizing Uncertainty in Weighing Collected Aerosols. .
  27. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 16258-1:2015, Workplace Air - Analysis of Respirable Crystalline Silica by X-Ray Diffraction. .
  28. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 24095:2021, Workplace Air - Guidance for the Measurement of Respirable Crystalline Silica. .
  29. Johnston NJ, Price R, Day CJ, Sandy JR, Ireland AJ. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of particulate production during simulated clinical orthodontic debonds. Dent Mater 25:1155–1162.
    doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2009.04.002pubmed: 19447486google scholar: lookup
  30. Lassigne JL. Composition of a salivary calculus taken from a horse. Dent Regist 2:142.
    pmc: PMC6659810pubmed: 33694373
  31. Lee AS. Methicillin-resistant. Nat Rev Dis Primers 4:18033.
    doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2018.33pubmed: 29849094google scholar: lookup
  32. Madsen AM, Martensson L, Schneider T, Larsson L. Microbial dustiness and particle release of different biofuels. Ann Occup Hyg 48:327–338.
    doi: 10.1093/annhyg/meh016pubmed: 15191942google scholar: lookup
  33. Madsen AM. Airborne endotoxin in different background environments and seasons. Ann Agric Environ Med 13:81–86.
    pubmed: 16841877
  34. Morakinyo OM, Mokgobu MI, Mukhola MS, Hunter RP. Health outcomes of exposure to biological and chemical components of inhalable and respirable particulate matter. Int J Environ Res Public Health 13:592.
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph13060592pmc: PMC4924049pubmed: 27314370google scholar: lookup
  35. O’Leary JM, Barnett TP, Parkin TDH, Dixon PM, Barakzai SZ. Pulpar temperature changes during mechanical reduction of equine cheek teeth: comparison of different motorised dental instruments, duration of treatments and use of water cooling. Equine Vet J 45:355–360.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00650.xpubmed: 23009359google scholar: lookup
  36. Piggot AS. Analysis of a salivary calculus from a horse. Am J Dent Sci 8:12–15.
    pmc: PMC6087114pubmed: 30751724
  37. Pimenta J, Pinto AR, Saavedra MJ, Cotovio M. Equine gram-negative oral microbiota: an antimicrobial resistances watcher?. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) 12:792.
    doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12040792pmc: PMC10135200pubmed: 37107153google scholar: lookup
  38. Samadi S, Wouters IM, Heederik DJJ. A review of bio-aerosol exposures and associated health effects in veterinary practice. Ann Agric Environ Med 20:206–221.
    pubmed: 23772565
  39. Simhofer H, Griss R, Zetner K. The use of oral endoscopy for detection of cheek teeth abnormalities in 300 horses. Vet J 178:396–404.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.09.029pubmed: 19041805google scholar: lookup
  40. Smid T, Heederik D, Houba R, Quanjer PH. Dust- and endotoxin-related respiratory effects in the animal feed industry. Am Rev Respir Dis 146:1474–1479.
    doi: 10.1164/ajrccm/146.6.1474pubmed: 1456563google scholar: lookup
  41. Stagg S, Bowry A, Kelsey A, Crook B. Bioaerosol Emissions from Waste Composting and the Potential for Workers’ Exposure. Health and Safety Laboratory.
  42. The Health Council of the Netherlands. Endotoxins - Health-Based Recommended Occupational Exposure Limit - Advisory Report. Publicatie 15 July 2010.
  43. Tremaine H, Pearce C. A modern approach to equine dentistry 4. routine treatments. In Practice 34:330–347.
    doi: 10.1136/inp.e4092google scholar: lookup
  44. Van Den Eede A. High occurrence of methicillin-resistant ST398 in equine nasal samples. Vet Microbiol 133:138–144.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.06.021pubmed: 18701224google scholar: lookup
  45. Van Landuyt K. Should we be concerned about composite (nano-)dust?. Dent Mater 28:1162–1170.
    doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2012.08.011pubmed: 22999371google scholar: lookup
  46. Whittaker A, Hughes K, Parkin T, Love S. Concentrations of dust and endotoxin in equine stabling. Vet Rec 165:293–295.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.165.10.293pubmed: 19734563google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,359 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.