A patient is diagnosed with active tuberculosis. Regarding dental management, which of the following is CORRECT for elective dental treatment?

Correct answer: B. Defer elective treatment until the patient is declared non-infectious

• A. INCORRECT. Treating an active TB patient immediately, even with ventilation precautions, is not appropriate for elective dental procedures. The patient must be rendered non-infectious first through adequate anti-TB therapy (typically 2–3 weeks of effective treatment).
• B. CORRECT. Elective dental treatment must be deferred until the patient with active tuberculosis is declared non-infectious. A patient is generally considered non-infectious after at least 2–3 weeks of appropriate multi-drug anti-TB therapy, provided they show clinical improvement and have negative sputum smears.
• C. INCORRECT. While N95 respirators and airborne precautions are essential if emergency treatment must be provided, they are not justification for proceeding with elective care in an infectious TB patient. Masks reduce but do not eliminate transmission risk.
• D. INCORRECT. Starting anti-TB medication does not immediately render the patient non-infectious. It typically takes 2–3 weeks of effective therapy before the patient is considered non-infectious.