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Infection Control · single question

When is the BEST time to see a patient WITH tuberculosis?

  1. Only after 2 years of TB treatment
  2. During active TB (with full precautions)
  3. Never — refer to a hospital only
  4. When TB is in the latent phase (non-infectious)
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Correct answer: D. When TB is in the latent phase (non-infectious)

  • A. Incorrect. 2 years of treatment is not a standard criterion for returning to routine dental care — non-infectivity (confirmed via negative sputum cultures and clinical improvement) is the relevant criterion.
  • B. Incorrect. During active TB, elective treatment should be deferred.
  • C. Incorrect. Dental care for TB patients can be safely provided with appropriate precautions.
  • D. Correct. The BEST time for routine dental care is when TB is LATENT — the patient has been exposed and carries the organism but is NOT CONTAGIOUS. Latent TB patients are on preventive therapy (isoniazid) but do not pose an infection risk requiring special precautions beyond standard care.

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