Dental Personnel Treated for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis at a Tertiary Care Center — Virginia, 2000–2015

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease of unknown cause and is associated with a poor prognosis. IPF has been associated with certain occupations; however, no published data exist regarding IPF in dental personnel. What is added by this report? A unique cluster of nine cases of IPF was identified among dental personnel treated at a tertiary care center in Virginia during 2000-2015. No clear etiology has been identified, but occupational exposures are possible. What are the implications for public health practice? During 2016, approximately 650,000 dental personnel were estimated to be employed in the United States, including 122,330 dentists. This cluster of IPF cases reinforces the need to understand further the occupational exposures of dental personnel and the association between these exposures and the risk for developing IPF so that strategies can be developed for prevention of potentially harmful exposures.