If a patient shows symptoms of M. tuberculosis, what should a dental practice do?

Defer elective treatment until the physician confirms the patient is not contagious is the appropriate course of action when a patient exhibits symptoms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Protecting the health and safety of both patients and dental personnel is paramount in a dental practice.

If a patient shows signs of tuberculosis, which can be a serious airborne communicable disease, the priority should be to ensure that the patient is evaluated and diagnosed by a medical professional. Continuing with elective dental procedures could put others at risk if the patient is indeed contagious. Thus, it is vital to wait for confirmation from a healthcare provider to determine if the patient poses a risk to others before proceeding with any dental treatments.

This approach promotes safe dental practice by preventing potential transmission of the infection and prioritizing the well-being of all individuals in the dental setting. In contrast, immediately conducting treatments or sending the patient to a different office would not adequately address the potential risk of contagion, while administering a tuberculosis test on-site could lead to delays in receiving proper medical evaluation and treatment.