Did Dental Aerosols Spread COVID-19? What a 2021 Study Found
A new study's findings dispel the misconception that patients and providers are at high risk of catching COVID-19 at the dentist's office.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, one worry was that the fine spray from dental drills and cleaning instruments would carry the virus from a patient's saliva across the room. A study published in May 2021 by researchers at Ohio State University found that most of the microbes in that spray came from the water used during treatment, not from saliva, and the virus was not detected in any of the spray samples. The study was small and done with infection-control measures in place, so it supports those measures rather than showing that dental care carries no risk.
What question did the study ask?
Dental instruments such as high-speed drills and ultrasonic scalers produce a fine mist. Earlier studies had shown that bacteria land on clinicians' faces, the patient's chest and surfaces several feet away. Those studies mostly grew bacteria on plates. They could not say where the microbes came from, and saliva was assumed to be the source. At the start of the pandemic, that assumption led to wide closures of dental offices.
The Ohio State team asked a narrower question: when aerosols land around the dental chair, how much of what they carry actually comes from the patient's saliva?
How was it done?
Patients: 28 adults treated at Ohio State's College of Dentistry between May and July 2020, during ultrasonic cleaning, implant surgery or fillings with a high-speed drill.
Samples: saliva and the irrigation water were collected before each procedure. Afterward, droplets that had condensed on the clinician's face shield, the patient's bib and a spot about six feet away were collected.
Testing: genetic sequencing identified the bacteria in each sample and traced them to their likely source. A separate test looked for the COVID-19 virus.
Precautions in place: patients used a mouth rinse before treatment, and high-volume suction was used in the mouth.
What did it find?
About 78 percent of the microbes in the aerosol samples could be traced to the irrigation water.
Saliva contributed very little. The median contribution was zero.
Low levels of the virus were found in the saliva of several patients who had no symptoms, but none was found in the aerosols from their procedures.
The authors concluded that, with standard infection-control measures such as a mouth rinse before treatment and high-volume suction, dental treatment did not appear to increase the risk of passing the virus from patients without symptoms.
What are the limits?
It was one center and 28 patients.
It measured where microbes landed, not whether anyone became infected.
It did not address the spread of a virus through talking, coughing or sneezing in a waiting room or treatment room, which the lead author noted still carries risk.
The results apply to treatment done with the precautions the study used.
What does it mean now?
This study is part of the record of how dentistry responded during the pandemic. Its main lesson still holds: routine infection control, including clean water lines, suction and barrier protection, is what limits the spread of germs in a dental office.
If you have a health condition that affects your immune system and have questions about dental visits, tell us when you schedule. You can read more about dental care for people with complex medical needs. Patients in Jacksonville can contact our office with any questions before a visit.
Sources
Meethil AP, Saraswat S, Chaudhary PP, Dabdoub SM, Kumar PS. Sources of SARS-CoV-2 and other microorganisms in dental aerosols. J Dent Res. 2021;100(8):817-823. doi:10.1177/00220345211015948. Retrieved via PubMed.
Ohio State University. Press release on dental aerosols and COVID-19, May 2021.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
Supporting Her Song: Dental Care for Survivors in Jacksonville
Our office works with the Her Song organization in providing preventative dental care and completing restorative work, giving girls a newfound confidence and joy with each treatment. Her Song organization has recently started a new donation goal. There are two ways you can donate you can either donate on the Her song donation page or through the Tim Tebow foundation donation page. Her Song also has an Amazon wish list if you would like to help that way.
Our Jacksonville dental office works with Her Song to provide preventive and restorative dental care for survivors of human trafficking. It is one part of the much larger work of helping survivors heal and build independent lives.
We are grateful for the chance to contribute our skills and to introduce our patients and neighbors to an organization doing meaningful work in Northeast Florida and beyond.
What is Her Song?
Her Song is a Christian organization that supports survivors of human trafficking through victim outreach, care coordination and long-term residential care. Founded in 2013, it began in Northeast Florida with a focus on helping women find a safe place to heal and rebuild their lives.
Its work connects survivors with resources and ongoing support as they pursue lasting freedom and self-sufficiency. Learn more about its mission and programs on the official Her Song website.
How does our office support Her Song?
Our office provides preventive dental care and completes restorative work for survivors served by Her Song.
For us, this work is about caring for the person as well as their teeth. We value the chance to help patients protect their oral health and feel more comfortable with their smiles. You can read more about Dr. CJ Henley and how he approaches care. We are thankful to play a supporting role alongside Her Song's broader survivor-care services.
How is Her Song connected to the Tim Tebow Foundation?
Her Song merged with the Tim Tebow Foundation in 2020, which supported the expansion of its survivor-care work beyond Northeast Florida. You can read Her Song's organizational history on its website.
The Foundation's broader efforts address human trafficking and child exploitation through prevention, rescue and survivor care. You can learn more on its anti-human-trafficking ministry page.
How can you support Her Song in Jacksonville?
You can give financially, buy requested supplies or explore volunteer opportunities through the organizations' official websites.
Donate directly to Her Song
Visit Her Song's official donation page to review current giving options and support its work with survivors.
Fulfill items on the Jacksonville wish list
Her Song keeps city-specific Amazon wish lists, including one for Jacksonville, so supporters can buy supplies the organization currently needs. Visit Her Song's giving and wish-list page and select Jacksonville Wish List to see local needs.
Support the Tim Tebow Foundation
The Tim Tebow Foundation's donation page offers giving opportunities across its ministries, including anti-human-trafficking work. Review the options to choose the program you want to support.
Explore volunteer opportunities
Visit the Her Song website and select Volunteer In Your City under Get Involved to learn about opportunities and requirements.
Caring for our Jacksonville community
Our work with Her Song is one way we contribute to the community we call home. We appreciate the dedication of its team and the opportunity to support survivors through dental care.
If you would like to help, start with Her Song's official donation, wish-list or volunteer resources. If you have questions about our community involvement, please contact our Jacksonville office.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
Sources
Her Song. hersong.org (founding year, mission, 2020 merger with the Tim Tebow Foundation). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
Tim Tebow Foundation. Anti-human-trafficking ministry. Link checked October 6, 2026.