Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported a cluster of 09 cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) among dentists between 2000 and 2015. IPF is a progressive, fibrosing interstitial pneumonia with a median survival of 3 - 5 years after diagnosis. Investigators had obtained data from the National Occupational Respiratory Mortality system for 1999, 2003, 2004, and 2007, and noted that the proportionate mortality ratios for dentists and personnel who worked in dental clinics were 1.67 and 1.52, respectively.
These findings suggest that a higher rate of IPF might occur among dental personnel than the general population. According to the investigators, the cause of IPF is unknown, but viral infections, cigarette smoking, and occupational exposure to dust, wood dust, and metal dust are common among patients. Dentists are exposed to infectious agents, chemicals,…
