Tuberculosis and oral healthcare provision

Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and curable infection, but remains a significant cause of death. The dental team is likely to encounter patients with a history of TB, however, at present there is limited guidance available to inform the provision of oral healthcare for this patient group. This may lead to confusion with delays in care. There is a potential health risk posed to patients and co-workers by a member of the dental team who becomes infected. TB has the potential to be a major issue for oral healthcare in the United Kingdom (UK). This paper discusses the implications for both patient care and management of the dental team.