A patient with confirmed active pulmonary tuberculosis presents to your dental office with a dental emergency (pain and swelling). How should this patient be managed?

Treat in an airborne infection isolation room using appropriate respiratory precautions
Refuse to treat and send the patient to the emergency department
Treat using standard universal precautions only
Postpone all treatment until TB is confirmed inactive

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Correct answer: A. Treat in an airborne infection isolation room using appropriate respiratory precautions

Active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei. When emergency dental treatment is absolutely necessary for a patient with active TB, it should be performed in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation (AII) room with appropriate respiratory protection (N95 respirators for dental personnel). Dental aerosol-generating procedures significantly increase transmission risk. Elective procedures should be deferred until TB has been confirmed inactive (typically after 2–3 weeks of effective anti-TB therapy). Complete refusal to treat an emergency may be unethical.

Practice Infection Control questions Infection Control study notes

A patient with confirmed active pulmonary tuberculosis presents to your dental office with a dental emergency (pain and swelling). How should this patient be managed?

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