What precautions should be taken when treating a patient with latent tuberculosis (LTBI)?

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is NOT contagious. Patients with LTBI have M. tuberculosis bacteria in their body in an inactive state, they test positive on PPD/IGRA testing, have no symptoms, and cannot transmit TB to others. Therefore, standard (universal) precautions are entirely sufficient for dental treatment of LTBI patients. No N95 masks, airborne precautions, or isolation rooms are needed. In contrast, patients with ACTIVE tuberculosis require airborne infection isolation (negative pressure room, N95 respirators, and deferral of non-emergency dental care) because they can spread TB via respiratory droplets.