A patient had a positive tuberculin test 2 weeks ago, has sputum and severe cough, and is taking isoniazid and rifampin. His chief complaint is an overdue cleaning. What should the dentist do?

Correct answer: A. Delay treatment until the doctor confirms he is no longer infectious

• A. Correct. With ACTIVE, likely infectious TB (productive cough, recent diagnosis), elective care such as a routine cleaning should be deferred until the physician confirms he is no longer infectious.
• B. Aerosol-generating prophylaxis on an infectious TB patient endangers staff and other patients — not appropriate.
• C. There is no indication for routine antibiotics, and treating now risks transmission.
• D. An N95 in a standard operatory does not provide the airborne-isolation engineering controls needed; elective care should still be postponed.