Management of the dental patient with pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a potentially fatal infectious disease. Although it typically manifests in populations subjected to crowding and living in poor conditions of hygiene, in the past decade the morbidity and mortality associated to pulmonary tuberculosis has increased throughout the world--particularly due to the appearance of strains resistant to a range of drugs, and to the vulnerability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals to tuberculosis infection. In this context, dental professionals should implement schemes and protocols designed to identify patients with lung tuberculosis, in order to both refer such patients to specialized medical care and to avoid infection of the dental personnel and other patients. A review is made of the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, with particular emphasis on the management measures indicated in the dental clinic.