Advisor(s)

Jonghwa Oh

Committee Member(s)

Claudiu Lungu
Ruzmyn Vilcassim

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

6-18-2026

Degree Name

Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)

School

School of Public Health

Department

Environmental Health Sciences

Abstract

Dental procedures can result in occupational exposures to both noise and particulate matter. Dental professionals routinely operate high-speed instruments and mechanical tools that may produce elevated sound levels and aerosolized particles during clinical treatment. Although these exposures are common in dental environments, limited data exist describing full-shift occupational exposure levels during routine dental procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate occupational exposure to noise and respirable particulate matter (RPM) during routine dental procedures in a clinical setting. Area noise monitoring and real-time aerosol monitoring were conducted over six clinical days while common dental procedures were performed, including fillings, bridge work, cement bridge placement, and root canal treatments. Noise exposure was measured in equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq), average sound level (Lavg), maximum sound level (Lmax), and time-weighted average (TWA), using Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hearing conservation (HC), OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), and ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV) criteria. RPM concentrations were measured using an aerosol monitor with a 4µm impactor attached. Across the six monitoring days, LAeq values ranged from 61.4 to 76.5 dB(A) and Lmax ranged from 82.1 to 119.4 dB(A). Using OSHA HC, Lavg values ranged from 15.7 to 51.8 dB(A), and TWA values ranged from 14.8 to 50.9 dB(A). For OSHA PEL criteria, Lavg values ranged from 23.1 to 51.5 dB(A), and TWA values ranged from 22.4 to 50.7 dB(A). Lastly, ACGIH Threshold TLV criteria, Lavg values ranged from 41.6 to 76.3 dB(A), and TWA values ranged from 41.1 to 75.8 dB(A). Lmax ranged from 82.1 to 119.4 dB(A) across the monitoring period. Further data analysis by dental procedure showed LAeq of 63.4, 65.0, 62.3, and 67.7 dB(A) for crowning, fillings, root canals, and extractions, respectively. TWAs of RPM concentrations ranged from 0.001-0.008mg/m3. Particulate concentrations varied depending on the dental procedure performed: fillings at0.05 mg/m³, root canals at 0.03 mg/m³, extractions at 0.01 mg/m³, bridge work at 0.33 mg/m³. Overall, both noise exposure and respirable particulate concentrations measured during routine dental procedures remained below applicable OELs. However, temporary increases in particulate concentrations occurred during bridges involving mechanical instrumentation. The highest sound level was measured during extractions. These findings highlight the importance of continued evaluation of occupational exposures in dental environments as increases in intermittent exposure to RPM and noise may pose a risk for dental professionals.

Keywords

dental procedures;dentistry;noise exposure;occupational exposure;respirable particulate matter

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