Revised TB Policy

From: John A. Valenza
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 6:47 AM
To: db_all_users@mail.db.uth.tmc.edu; DB-Students-IV; DB-Hygiene-I; DB-Hygiene-II; DB-Students-I; DB-Students-II;
DB-Students-III
Subject: Revised TB policy

TO ALL DB PERSONNEL:

The following addition to the school's infection control policy and procedure was approved by the Infection Control Committee. This change is effective immediately. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact our Infection Control Officer, Ms. Catherine Smith.

Because the potential exists for transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in dental settings, the following recommendations should be followed:

While taking patients' initial medical histories and at periodic updates, dental health care workers should routinely ask all patients whether they have a history of TB disease and symptoms suggestive of TB.

Patients with a medical history and/or symptoms suggestive of undiagnosed active TB should be referred promptly for medical evaluation of possible infectiousness. Such patients should not remain in the dental care facility any longer than required to arrange a referral. While in the dental care facility, patients should wear surgical masks and should be instructed to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing.

Elective dental treatment should be deferred until a physician confirms that the patient does not have infectious TB. If the patient is diagnosed as having active TB, elective dental treatment should be deferred until the patient is no longer infectious.

If urgent dental care must be provided for a patient who has, or is strongly suspected of having, infectious TB, such care should be provided in areas that can provide TB isolation.

Thank you.

John A. Valenza, D.D.S.
Associate Dean for Patient Care
The University of Texas Dental Branch
6516 M.D. Anderson Blvd, Suite 142
Houston, TX 77030
713-500-4111
713-500-4358 Fax